Integral Electrics has launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for the Maven cargo e-bike. The model has been designed by women, for women, with a lower centre of gravity for improved stability. Other features include adjustable suspension, fat tires and optional app controls.
I’m not in the direct target demographic for this ebike, but having more ebikes in the market sounds good to me.
That said, I’m somewhat surprised to see a seat dropper standard on a cargo ebike. Would they be the first to offer this as a standard feature?
Also, I can’t help but wonder if the included, spare battery would deteriorate if left uncharged and unused, as well as adding cost to the initial price. They don’t have a range estimate, but supposing we borrow the figure from the comparable RadWagon 4, a 45 mile range on one charge is a good amount of travel.
From electric automobiles, I appreciate that range anxiety may well exist for electric bikes as well, especially if this one will be marketed as a family school bus. In that case, I would think the app connectivity could be used to remind the owner to charge their ebike, and offer the spare battery as an optional extra. But perhaps a small amount of battery wear is acceptable for the piece of mind.
Still though, these are minor nitpicks from what otherwise looks like a sensibly designed, purpose-derived ebike.