City set to revolutionise green transport with eBike production
PES Performance, based in Sheffield, and Wolverhampton start-up, CrownCruiser have joined forces to revolutionise green transport through a state-of-the-art, affordable eBike.
The project which is known as the Rapture eBike is built with a lightweight and durable carbon-fibre monocoque in place of the traditional double-diamond bike frame. It’s been engineered by the Midlands firm in conjunction with specialist in high tech engineers in South Yorkshire and has now received £139,970 grant from Innovate UK.
The grant will enable CrownCruiser Motors to set up an operations and assembly centre in Sheffield, working in partnership with Sheffield City Region to build, promote and sell the eBike.
Founder of CrownCruiser Motors and brainchild of the Rapture, Adebola Adeleye, said: “This moment is many years in the making, driven by a deep passion to develop an eBike that would revolutionise sustainable transport. With the Rapture, we will bring a design and quality of materials that has never before been produced at such an attainable and affordable price point.
“To achieve that, we are harnessing some of the UK’s best design and engineering expertise to bring the Rapture vision to life. With the help of Innovate UK’s funding, we are on track to make this vision a reality.”
Dame Sarah Storey, Sheffield City Region active travel commissioner, said: “Electric bikes are proving to be an important factor in enabling more people to cycle in the Sheffield City Region. Throughout this pandemic bike shops and manufacturers have been overwhelmed by the demand for all bikes, but demand for eBikes has been significant. This Innovate UK funding helps Sheffield to lead the development and assembly of the superbly crafted CrownCruiser eBikes, which will be an important part of delivering additional capacity to consumers and to build the skills base in the region.”
Innovate UK Executive Chair, Dr Ian Campbell, said: “In these difficult times we have seen the best of British business innovation. The pandemic is not just a health emergency but one that impacts society and the economy.
“CrownCruiser, along with every initiative Innovate UK has supported by this fund is an important step forward in driving sustainable economic development. Each one is also helping to realise the ambitions of hard-working people.”
