Marktdata.nl analyzed online search volumes for electric fatbikes over the past four years, specifically in the Netherlands. The results speak for themselves: users are clearly interested in unbridled models.
Le Fatbike Market Monitor 2024 du cabinet Marktdata.nl gives us several major, ultra-interesting lessons on the subject of electric fatbikes, at the heart of a media and political storm since this summer in the Netherlands, due to the degree of ease of unbridling them. The subject has also come up more recently in France.
This report aims to provide an overview of the direction and interest of Dutch consumers towards electric fatbikes over the past four years, notes News bike. A good way to gain some insight into this growing trend.
Clear results
The founder of Marktdata, Han van Es, doesn't beat around the bush. The person concerned and his teams focused in particular on the volumes of research relating to the power of the fatbike engine: “ Of all searches looking for a fatbike with a specific motor power, over 60% are for a 750 watt motor ».
This result clearly shows that more than half of potential buyers have a clear intention, or at least a certain interest: to buy an electric two-wheeler which does not comply with European standards, which, as a reminder, limit the power of electric bikes – and therefore fatbikes – at 250 watts, for a maximum speed of 25 km/h thanks to assistance.
Han van Es continues: “Nearly a quarter of the search volume is for a 1,000-watt motor. Barely 10% of searches reach the maximum permitted power of 250 watts “. In other words, barely one in ten people in the Netherlands have looked for an electric fatbike that complies with the rules of the Old Continent over the last four years.
Really high desired maximum speeds
The rest of the results are just as interesting: “When it comes to the search behavior for a fatbike with a certain top speed, the analyzes are also shocking. 61% of searches concern a speed of 45 km/h. In second place is the maximum speed of 50 km/h with a share of 26% ».
Yes the «exact number of fatbikes in the Netherlands is unclear», the firm still estimates the quantity of fatbikes in the Batavian country at 150,000. “Their popularity is growing rapidly, especially among young people. This growth is partly due to the ease with which fatbikes can be unrestrained, which can lead to higher speeds and therefore an increased risk of accidents ».
How do consumers manage to obtain illegal electric fatbikes that pass European rules? Thanks to large Chinese marketplaces, such as AliExpress and Alibaba, notes the report. In search intentions, the Ouxi V8 model is in first place. It has since been banned in the European Union.
« While other types of bicycles in the Netherlands are usually searched through well-known brands and Dutch shopping channels, Marktdata.nl notes that many Chinese and Asian direct suppliers play an important role in online search behavior consumers for big bikes», Estimates the institute.
A more structured future?
However, Marktdata.nl allows itself to project itself into the future based on a volume of data that it has decided to extrapolate. With the following bet: “Search volume for fatbikes with a top speed of 25 km/h shows both the highest relative growth and the highest acceleration».
We can therefore imagine that consumers could turn more towards legal models, also taking into account the latest setbacks of fatbikes recorded in the country.
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