Virvolt, a French company specializing in electrification kits for bicycles, has just announced great news: its Virvolt 900 engine is now fully assembled in France by a major partner: Renault.
For a few years now, it has been possible to electrify your old bike yourself thanks to all-in-one kits. Many companies have entered this buoyant market. It must be recognized that for the moment, the purchase of an electric bike is not within the reach of all budgetsdespite state aid.
On average, an electrically assisted bicycle or VAE in France costs a trifle of 2000 €. This is why these kits are good alternatives for electrifying your cycle at a lower cost. In 2022, we introduced you to the ZipForce One, an electrification kit offered at €659 and manufactured by the Swedish company ZipForce.
On this Friday, April 14, 2023, it is the turn of the specialized French brand Virvolt to make a major announcement. This company, founded in 2020, first launched into the manufacture and sale of electrification kits for bicycles, before developing its own electric motor: the Virvolt 900.
The Virvolt 900 is now assembled by Renault
And precisely, the company has just arrogated a major partnership. From now on, its engine is fully assembled by Renault. After working for two years with the Chinese supplier Tongshen/Aikema, Virvolt wanted to relocate its production to France.
It is now done within the Refactory project of the diamond brand, located in Flins. Thanks to the reinforcement provided by the Renault teams, Virvolt hopes to manufacture 3,000 engines by the end of 2023. As a reminder, the Virvolt 900 is built around three pillars: performance, adaptability and repairability.
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An interchangeable, efficient and durable motor
Regarding the first point, the Virvolt 900 offers a power of 250 W, for a maximum speed of 25 km/h (threshold imposed by European standards). However, it stands out thanks to the presence of a torque sensor, which offers a natural ride. But above all, its torque of 80 Nm allows you to take advantage of excellent pick-up, both at a standstill and uphill.
Regarding durability, Virvolt states that its motor is compatible with 98% of existing bicycles. “It fits practically on all bikes on the market. We are the ones who adapt to the frame of the bikes, and not the other way around. The motor is therefore interchangeable”, assures the company.
As for repairability, the brand confirms that shortly, the 92 parts that make up its engine will be available via a catalog, shared with all of its partner resellers. Note that the Virvolt 900 motor is now integrated into the brand’s electrification kit, which is available from 1200 € at more than 250 bike shops in France.
