Chinese e-bikes pedal to global fame

Electric bicycle under production in Zaozhuang city, Shandong province, Oct 30, 2014. [Dai Tian / chinadaily.com.cn]?

Chinese electric bicycles are gaining popularity worldwide, as annual output reaches 30 million in the country, said industry experts.

Zhang Xiaoshun, chairman of Shandong Weisite Bicycle Co, said on Thursday that its high-end products, mounted with lithium-ion battery which can run up to 240-kilometres on a single charge, have been exported to Australia and Europe.

He added that the latest model sells for more than 2,000 yuan.

"Each li-ion battery bicycle we produce can save the use of aluminum by 12.5 kilogram and consume 30 percent less energy, while the lead-acid ones weigh six times heavier," said Zhang.

The five-year-old company, based in Zaozhuang city of Shandong province, owns six patent rights in electric bike designs and has an annual capacity of 300,000.

China is witnessing a booming bicycle industry, with annual output of over 80 million bicycles and 30 million electric bicycles.

During the first seven months of this year, the bicycle industry saw its profits increase 17.3 percent, according to earlier report.

Zaozhuang is among the hubs conducting research and production of lithium-ion battery and electric bicycle, with 30 related companies operating there generating total annual production value of 9 billion yuan, according to Zhang Shuping, mayor of the city.

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