Brooklyn-based e-bike conversion kit maker CLIP has launched BOLT, a front-mounted electric motor designed to transform standard bicycles into e-bikes. The company is marketing the device as the world’s most affordable quick-install e-bike upgrade, with a focus on making electrified transportation accessible in low-to-moderate income communities and emerging markets.
Unlike traditional e-bikes, which often start at around US $1,000 and go up quickly from there, BOLT is positioned as a low-cost alternative. The device features a 450W motor and a swappable battery system, providing pedal assistance up to 15 mph (25 km/h).
The kit installs on the front fork of most adult bicycles, making it an option for riders who want an e-bike experience without purchasing a dedicated electric bicycle.
While CLIP has previously targeted the business-to-consumer (B2C) market with its easily mountable e-bike conversion kits, BOLT will be distributed primarily through business-to-business (B2B) channels. The company seems to have its sights set on bike sharing and other commercial operators of bike fleets.
In the US and Europe, CLIP is selling the system to businesses for $250, including two 144 Wh battery packs. In emerging markets, BOLT will be offered at a $100 price point, excluding the battery, with users paying a $5 per month subscription fee to access rechargeable battery swaps through local partners.
“BOLT is designed to make e-bike commuting truly accessible and equitable for people everywhere, from New York to New Delhi,” said Som Ray, Founder and CEO of CLIP. “BOLT removes the price barriers of traditional e-bikes while maximizing environmental impact to scale sustainable transportation worldwide.”
CLIP is framing BOLT as both an environmental and social mobility tool, citing the high cost of traditional e-bikes as a barrier to widespread adoption. The company states that over 60% of its riders come from low-to-moderate-income communities, and it plans to partner with local organizations to expand access.
The product is being marketed as a low-impact alternative to full e-bike production, with CLIP claiming that BOLT requires 50 times fewer resources to manufacture and has a 30 times smaller logistics footprint compared to conventional e-bikes. The system is manufactured in Kolkata, India, with localized assembly in North America, Europe, and India.
CLIP has positioned BOLT as a disruptive force in e-bike affordability, which tracks with the device’s rather rare design. Instead of a traditional hub motor or mid-drive motor, CLIP uses a friction drive that presses against the front tire of the bike, forcing it to roll forward. The device’s front-mounted motor configuration is notably different from mid-drive or rear-hub e-bike motors. Additionally, its business-to-business sales model means that individual riders will not be able to purchase the system directly, relying instead on third-party distribution networks.
The company has yet to announce specific partnerships or large-scale deployments, though it has set ambitious climate goals. It claims that widespread adoption of BOLT could eliminate up to 3.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
As BOLT appears set to enter the market, its impact on the growing e-bike sector remains to be seen. With its low price point and modular design, the system could appeal to budget-conscious riders if it proves to be a viable and reliable alternative to traditional e-bikes.
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