Electric Cars

A peculiar trend has emerged from China's booming electric vehicle sector, shedding light on how the world's largest automotive market is addressing its production surplus. Rather than directly exporting new vehicles, Chinese manufacturers are increasingly channeling what are termed 'zero-mile' used EVs into international markets. This unique approach involves registering brand-new electric cars domestically to count them as local sales, often incentivized by government policies, before swiftly deregistering them and dispatching them overseas as pre-owned units. This creates a lucrative grey market, allowing automakers to bolster their reported sales volumes and exporters to earn substantial profits, often around $1,400 per vehicle. The primary destinations for these vehicles include Russia, Jordan, and various countries in Central Asia and the Middle East, where they are acquired at significantly lower prices.

Surprisingly, this unconventional export method has not gone unnoticed by local Chinese authorities; in fact, it has been actively endorsed and facilitated by at least 20 local governments since 2019. These regional entities perceive the practice as crucial for achieving economic growth targets set by Beijing. Their support manifests in various forms, including issuing additional export licenses for these 'used' vehicles, expediting tax rebate processes, investing in export-specific infrastructure, and organizing networking events to promote such exports. Some cities, like Shenzhen, have even articulated ambitious goals to significantly expand vehicle exports through these means, believing it stimulates domestic sales. This strategy, however, has sparked a debate within the Chinese auto industry regarding the existence and implications of EV overcapacity. While some industry leaders, such as Parker Shi of Great Wall Motors, dismiss overcapacity as a 'fake concept,' others, like Geely's founder Li Shufu, openly acknowledge it as a serious issue contributing to ongoing price wars in the domestic EV market.

The global community is beginning to scrutinize this practice, with destination countries implementing measures to counter the influx of these technically 'used' but effectively new vehicles. For instance, Russia has moved to restrict imports of zero-mile used cars from brands with official distributors, and Jordan is contemplating altering its definition of 'used' vehicles. Industry analysts suggest that this export model serves as a means for China to offload heavily subsidized EVs abroad, particularly as traditional major markets like the U.S. and Europe impose tariffs, making them less viable dumping grounds. The sustainability and long-term reputational impact of these tactics are increasingly being questioned. Beyond mere economic ramifications, such opaque practices can undermine fair competition and erode trust in global trade. It is essential for all parties to foster transparency and ethical conduct to ensure a healthy and equitable global automotive landscape, paving the way for genuine innovation and progress in electric mobility worldwide.

A revolutionary electric hub motor, notably diminutive in size yet monumental in its implications, recently debuted at Eurobike 2025. This innovation, forged from a strategic alliance among Moving Magnet Technologies (MMT), Swiss mechatronics leader Sonceboz, and French e-bike software innovator eBikeLabs, is set to establish a new paradigm for premium urban electric bicycles. Its compact form factor belies a powerful and intelligent design, signalling a significant leap forward in the evolution of personal electric mobility.

This pioneering motor boasts an impressive 70 Nm of torque, incorporates regenerative braking technology, and features an exceptional 22:1 gear ratio. A seamlessly integrated torque sensor ensures a remarkably natural and responsive pedalling experience for riders. Despite these advanced capabilities and inherent technological integrations, the motor maintains an astonishingly low weight, tipping the scales at under 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs). This makes it an incredibly light contender within the high-torque hub motor category, especially considering its targeted application for sophisticated urban performance and connected functionalities. Its design ethos focuses on empowering a new generation of minimalist, high-tech city e-bikes, making it a highly attractive component for manufacturers.

The motor is specifically engineered for single-speed electric bicycles and achieves full integration with eBikeLabs’ proprietary eBikeOS software platform. This synergistic pairing enables a suite of advanced features, including regenerative braking for extended range and improved control, sophisticated anti-theft immobilization for enhanced security, and intelligent ride customization options, all delivered within an unexpectedly svelte form factor. Sonceboz, renowned for its impeccable manufacturing standards in the automotive sector, is spearheading the industrialization phase, utilizing its automated production facilities in Switzerland to ensure flawless output. Current projections indicate that the motor is undergoing B-sample testing with a prominent, albeit unnamed, premium urban bike manufacturer, with commercial availability anticipated in early 2027.

Damien Wittwer, Division Director at Sonceboz, highlighted the collaborative vision: \"Through this hub motor, Sonceboz, MMT, and eBikeLabs are committed to setting an unprecedented standard for high-end urban bicycles. Our deep mechatronics expertise guarantees a production process that is both reliable and of superior quality, catering to the exacting demands of leading brands. We are not just fabricating motors; we are enabling our partners to distinguish themselves in a market that increasingly values smarter, quieter, and more integrated urban transportation solutions.\" The collaborative framework leverages MMT's prowess in motor design and electromagnetic innovation, Sonceboz's industrial manufacturing capabilities, and eBikeLabs' cutting-edge eBikeOS software, which provides real-time diagnostics, immediate theft alerts, comprehensive ride tracking, and personalized performance adjustments. Notably, the eBikeOS platform has previously garnered positive feedback from pre-release testing, proving its efficacy in enhancing the e-bike experience.

This marks a significant progression for eBikeLabs, which has a history of contributing to high-end e-bike projects, including powering the Virvolt 2000 motor found in cargo e-bikes and collaborating with brands like Cowboy and Vefaa. However, this latest motor signifies a more profound convergence of hardware and software, developed in unison from inception. This holistic approach is a rare commodity in the increasingly fragmented electric bicycle market. Should the promising specifications translate effectively into mass production and the industrial scaling proceed as planned, this new component has the potential to become one of the most transformative elements in the premium city e-bike sector over the coming years. Its integrated anti-theft measures, fluid application connectivity, and impressive power-to-size ratio exemplify the kind of understated yet impactful advancements that elevate an e-bike from a mere utility to an almost magical riding experience.