Exploring China's Electric Bike Export Market: Trends and Opportunities

In recent years, China’s electric bike export market has seen rapid growth. In 2017, China exported a total of US$1.4 billion worth of electric bikes, an increase of 27.3% from 2016.1 And the trend looks set to continue, with electric bike exports expected to reach US$2.4 billion by 2022.2

There are a number of reasons behind this growth. Firstly, electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular around the world as people look for more environmentally-friendly and cost-effective modes of transport. Secondly, China is the world’s largest manufacturer of electric bikes, with over 80% of the global market share.3 This gives Chinese manufacturers a significant cost advantage over their foreign competitors.

So, what trends are driving China’s electric bike export market? And what opportunities are there for companies looking to enter this market?

One trend that is driving exports is the growing popularity of electric bikes in Europe. In 2017, China exported US$585 million worth of electric bikes to Europe, an increase of 36.5% from 2016.4 This growth is being driven by a number of factors, including the growing awareness of the environmental benefits of electric bikes, government support in the form of subsidies and tax breaks, and the increasing availability of electric bike charging infrastructure.

Another trend that is driving exports is the growing popularity of electric bikes in the United States. In 2017, China exported US$272 million worth of electric bikes to the United States, an increase of 24.6% from 2016.5 This growth is being driven by a number of factors, including the growing awareness of the environmental benefits of electric bikes, the increasing availability of electric bike charging infrastructure, and the increasing number of electric bike sharing schemes.

There are a number of opportunities for companies looking to enter the Chinese electric bike export market. Firstly, there is a growing demand for electric bikes around the world, so there is a large potential market to tap into. Secondly, Chinese manufacturers have a significant cost advantage over their foreign competitors, so there is a good opportunity to compete on price. Finally, the Chinese government is supportive of the electric bike industry and is investing in initiatives to promote the use of electric bikes, so there is a good opportunity to benefit from this support.

Sep 01, 2023