Finally, an e-bike that charges off USB-C

Up to 140W disconnected a USB-C PD 3.1 laptop charger you mightiness already own. | Image: Ampler

Ampler made 1 of the first modern e-bikes I ever tested, and present it’s selling the archetypal commercialized electrical bikes — the Nova and Nova Pro — I’m alert of that tin beryllium charged implicit a USB-C larboard integrated close into the frame. Hell, that aforesaid jack volition adjacent complaint your gadgets successful a pinch, but not successful the US due to the fact that this e-bike is for Europe only.

Estonia-based Ampler is champion known for making reliable direct-to-consumer e-bikes from its location successful Tallinn utilizing decent, mostly off-the-shelf parts that tin beryllium serviced astatine immoderate section motorcycle shop. Adding USB-C charging from a laptop charger you mightiness already own makes a ton of consciousness arsenic Europe standardizes connected the port to destruct redundancy and trim waste. It besides makes it easier to find a compatible motorcycle charger if you permission yours astatine home.

You tin complaint the comparatively tiny 48V 336Wh integrated batteries (removable for work only) connected the Nova bid e-bikes from zero to afloat successful arsenic small arsenic 3 hours from a USB-C PD 3.1 charger operating astatine up to 140W. That’s precise respectable. Some e-bikes fitted with a artillery this aforesaid size tin instrumentality five hours oregon longer to refill from chargers with proprietary connectors, and others fitted with larger batteries and 300-plus-watt charging bricks tin bring that down to astir 2 hours. Fortunately, 240W USB-C chargers are present starting to ship, truthful USB-C is good successful presumption to compete.

Ampler has besides tested its bikes to enactment with little susceptible Ikea and MacBook chargers that enactment the older USB-C PD 3.0 spec. If you don’t already person specified a charger, Ampler volition merchantability you its ain 140W USB-C PD 3.1 charger for €80 (about $87). And portion the USB-C larboard is bidirectional connected the Nova series, it’s lone susceptible of charging your USB-C gadgets astatine a humble 15W. 

Both the €2,990 (about $3,230) Nova and €3,490 (about $3,770) Nova Pro are disposable successful step-through and step-over frames successful 3 sizes to accommodate astir riders, with EU modular 250W motors maxing retired astatine a basal 25km/h. They’re fundamentally improved Stout and Stella models designed to beryllium much compatible with accessories similar U-locks, third-party saddles, and kid carriers. The basal Nova exemplary is fitted with wide 27.5-inch tires and depends connected an oily concatenation and derailleur for its nine-speed transmission. The Nova Pro, however, is the motorcycle I’d opt for, with its somewhat larger 28-inch wheels, Gates Carbon loop drive, and a 10-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain baked into the hub.

Both the Nova and Nova Pro are disposable to preorder starting contiguous successful the UK, EU, and Switzerland, with shipping acceptable to statesman successful June. Ampler is backed by authoritative work centers successful Germany and a web of “Ampler Friendly” workshops scattered astir Europe. Each motorcycle comes with a two-year warranty and a 14-day instrumentality policy.