With the global e-bike market continuing to expand, Chinese e-bike companies are gradually shifting from being a manufacturing powerhouse to becoming a meaningful force in global competition. This article reviews a group of Chinese e-bike players and examines their overseas positioning and market entry paths—looking at how Chinese brands are securing a foothold in the next wave of globalization.
From a Saturated Domestic Market to Global Expansion
According to the China Bicycle Association, the number of electric two-wheelers in use in China has reached nearly 380 million units, equivalent to roughly one vehicle for every three to four people. With such a high installed base, the domestic market has largely entered a stage of stock-based competition, and room for incremental demand is narrowing.
A revised Safety Technical Specification for Electric Bicycles, released on December 31, 2024 and scheduled to take effect on September 1, 2025, raises requirements for product design and safety. The new standard no longer mandates pedal installation, encourages the inclusion of communication modules and rear-view mirrors, and requires labeling of a recommended service life, pushing the industry toward more standardized development.
AVC（奥维云网） data shows that in the first half of 2025, domestic sales of electric two-wheelers reached 32.33 million units, up 29.5% year-on-year. Leading brands such as Yadea, Aima, and Tailg accounted for over half of domestic sales, while Ninebot recorded particularly strong growth driven by smart products. Despite short-term resilience, the scale of the existing installed base implies a structural ceiling, and growth is expected to normalize as subsidy-driven replacement demand fades.
For manufacturers seeking to break through domestic constraints, overseas markets have become a near-inevitable choice. However, the e-bikes sold abroad differ fundamentally from the electric two-wheelers commonly used in China.
According to the Technical Guide for Export Commodities—Bicycles issued by China’s Ministry of Commerce in October 2024, product definitions and performance requirements for electric bicycles vary significantly across major overseas markets. China’s domestic standard allows throttle-based electric drive with motor power up to 400W, whereas in the EU and the US, e-bikes are defined primarily as pedal-assist vehicles.
In this article, “e-bike” refers to: a bicycle where the motor provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, consistent with the principle of “human-triggered assistance.” This is distinct from the throttle-driven, fully electric “small e-moped” style vehicle that is common in everyday domestic use.
Beyond electric two-wheeled bicycles, several other micromobility products—such as electric motorcycles, electric scooters, and electric tricycles—are also performing strongly. These innovative mobility tools are steadily gaining attention across global markets.
In our upcoming “2025 China Electric Micromobility Go-Global Report,” we will provide a deeper breakdown by sub-category and present a more comprehensive view of the diversified overseas development paths in electric micromobility.
E-bike Product Structure Diagram
Source: Velotricbike
China’s Role in the Global E-bike Supply Chain
China plays a central role in the global e-bike value chain. As the world’s largest bicycle producer and exporter, China manufactures approximately 100 million bicycles annually, accounting for around 60% of global output. This scale advantage has enabled the formation of a highly mature supply ecosystem spanning frames, drivetrains, braking systems, motors, batteries, and electronic control units.
In 2024, China’s electric two-wheeler exports reached USD 5.8 billion, with export volume exceeding 22 million units. Europe, Asia, and North America together accounted for nearly 90% of export value, while emerging markets such as Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East recorded even faster growth rates.
This industrial foundation allows Chinese companies to compete not only on cost, but increasingly on system integration, engineering efficiency, and speed of iteration—key capabilities in overseas markets where compliance and user experience matter as much as price.
Global Market Overview
Europe remains the core market for e-bikes worldwide. Google Trends data shows that from 2020 to 2025, the majority of countries with the highest e-bike search interest were European, with Germany standing out as both a leading consumption market and a key policy-driven adopter. Strong environmental awareness and supportive mobility policies have accelerated e-bike penetration across European cities.
In North America, later regulatory adoption has left more room for market penetration. As environmental awareness increases and urban mobility patterns evolve, e-bikes are increasingly viewed as a practical alternative to traditional vehicles, particularly in large cities.
Southeast Asia and the Middle East lack deep-rooted cycling cultures, which raises entry barriers in the short term. However, ongoing electrification policies suggest meaningful long-term potential.
Overall, the global e-bike market continues to expand. Asia-Pacific, led by China, remains the largest production and consumption hub, while Europe remains the center of demand. North America, though less mature, shows strong growth momentum.
For Chinese companies, competition is shifting from manufacturing scale to brand building and service capability. The ability to establish strong overseas brands and localized operations will increasingly determine long-term success.
Review of Chinese E-bike Brands Expanding Overseas
To better understand how Chinese e-bike companies are approaching overseas markets, the following section reviews selected brands with international operations. The review focuses on product positioning and market strategy rather than providing an exhaustive list.
Note: This review is based on publicly available information and aims to provide a broad industry overview. Readers are advised to consult company websites for the latest updates.
Representative Case Studies
Emerging Brands: New Entrants Targeting Europe and North America
Velotric
Founded in 2021 by a former Lime hardware co-founder, Velotric focuses squarely on the North American market. The company designs its own motors, controllers, and battery management systems, emphasizing value-for-money smart e-bikes tailored to local riding habits.
Operating through a DTC-first model before expanding into offline channels, Velotric scaled rapidly and has built a broad dealer network across the US. A significant share of its team is based locally, underscoring its commitment to market-specific execution.
Selected Global Expansion Milestones:
Dec 2021: Launched the Discover 1 model on Indiegogo.
2022: Entered the North American market via a DTC model with Discover 1. Within six months, Discover 1 sold over 10,000 units and generated more than USD 15 million in revenue.
2023: Expanded into offline channels in North America; offline revenue scaled quickly and surpassed online.
2025: Expanded to over 1,200 dealer partners in North America. Over 30% of the team is long-term based in the US, and the company has become one of the leading head brands in the North American e-bike market.
Urtopia
Urtopia positions itself in the premium smart e-bike segment, combining lightweight carbon-fiber frames with IoT-based intelligence. Founded by engineers from leading US universities, the company has prioritized Europe as a strategic market, building local teams and dealer networks.
Its product strategy centers on high-end differentiation, with features such as integrated AI voice interaction and advanced data analytics, appealing to technology-oriented riders.
Selected Global Expansion Milestones:
2022: Shifted strategic focus to Europe; established a subsidiary in Berlin, built a local service team, and developed a dealer network.
Jun 2023: Released Fusion, described as the world’s first ChatGPT-integrated e-bike.
2024: Developed and launched the Carbon1 Pro gravel e-bike—lighter, faster, and more sports-oriented than Fusion.
CES 2025: Introduced a titanium-frame e-bike and an AI voice assistant designed for cycling.
TENWAYS
Incubated by established bicycle group Trinity, TENWAYS targets urban commuters in Europe and North America with affordable, minimalist pedal-assist models. The brand has leveraged crowdfunding, independent channels, and offline retail to build awareness, while maintaining supply chain and R&D operations in Asia.
Selected Global Expansion Milestones:
2021: Raised over USD 850,000 via Indiegogo and released its first e-bike.
May 2023: Completed an RMB 300 million Series A financing round to support international expansion.
2023: Partnered with Borussia Dortmund; signed top fitness influencer Pamela as a brand ambassador, strengthening brand visibility.
2024: Continued growth; expanded R&D, production, branding, sales, and distribution activities across Europe.
Tezeus
Founded in 2022, Tezeus positions itself as a technology-oriented e-bike brand targeting Europe and North America. Through self-developed power systems and electronic architectures, the company emphasizes lightweight design, smart control, and performance. Its flagship C8 model has received international design awards.
Selected Global Expansion Milestones:
Dec 2023: Released its first production model, the TEZEUS-C8 e-bike, positioned for the premium international market.
Oct 2024: Officially launched the C8 commuter e-bike in Europe.
2025: The Tezeus C8 won the 2025 iF Design Award and the 2025 Red Dot Product Design Award, securing two top-tier global industrial design honors.
3.2 Established Leaders: Extending Domestic Champions Overseas
Yadea
Yadea has exported electric two-wheelers to more than 100 countries and established overseas manufacturing bases in Southeast Asia. Its international e-bike lineup focuses on commuting and portable models. Despite its global presence, the company’s revenue remains heavily concentrated in China.
Selected Global Expansion Milestones:
2007: Began exporting to international markets.
2015: Exported to 66 countries including the US, Germany, the UK, France, Japan, and South Korea.
2016: Listed in Hong Kong.
2017: Global sales exceeded 4 million units.
2018: Global sales exceeded 5.03 million units; became an official Asia-Pacific sponsor of the 2018 Russia FIFA World Cup.
2019: Became official supplier of the China Women’s National Volleyball Team; established a manufacturing base in Vietnam, becoming the first Chinese e-bike brand to set up an overseas factory.
2020: Global sales exceeded 10 million units.
2021: Launched battery-swapping series models, advancing the industry into the battery-swapping era.
2022: Again became an official Asia-Pacific sponsor of the FIFA World Cup.
2023: Became an official sponsor of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
2024: Broke ground for a new Vietnam base with annual capacity of one million units; delivered the first vehicle from Yadea’s Indonesia integrated R&D-and-manufacturing facility.
Ninebot
Ninebot’s acquisition of Segway enabled it to leverage a globally recognized brand in Western markets. The company has expanded across e-bikes, scooters, and related micromobility products. By 2025, overseas revenue accounted for more than one-third of total sales, making Ninebot one of the most internationally diversified Chinese players in the sector.
Selected Global Expansion Milestones:
2015: Acquired Segway Inc. (the original self-balancing scooter pioneer) for over USD 75 million—marking Ninebot’s shift from a China-based company to a China–US integrated global player and using the Segway brand to enter Western markets. Valuation exceeded USD 1.5 billion.
2016: Launched Segway miniPRO.
2019: Released electric motorcycle E series and electric bicycle C and B series—entering the electric two-wheeler market.
2021: Sold 420,000 units, nearly tripling year-on-year; launched Navimow robotic lawn mower, entering the Western home market.
2024: Debuted Segway Xafari and Segway XYber e-bikes at CES for the first time.
2025: In H1 2025, overseas revenue reached RMB 4.422 billion, up 57.73% year-on-year, accounting for 37.66% of total revenue.
04 Conclusion
As e-bikes evolve from simple transportation tools into lifestyle-oriented products, the global market is entering a new stage. Intelligence, localization, and brand identity are becoming key drivers of growth. For Chinese e-bike companies, the path forward lies in transforming manufacturing strength into sustainable global brands capable of competing across diverse markets.