Ann M.
Well-Known Member
Big Tom, the lithium cells to make lithium battery packs for ebikes are not manufactured in the US. Neither are most of the components to make a bike work. (And all of the basic bike components are on the next tariff to be started in Sept.) There are still some independent frame builders; however, I've not heard of any manufacturer that physically builds every ebike motor component here in the US.
I recognize that there are varying opinions expressed within this thread and would like to share that those of us who actually work within the bicycle or ebike industry are being impacted right now by these tariffs. This is not a theoretical pressure game for us; it's real. There is no magic wand to wave to instantaneously build lithium battery plants or bike component plants or some of the components & electronics that go into ebike motors, or magically produce the billions of dollars to build those manufacturing sites. This is how we care for and feed those we love and ourselves along with those who work with us and be able to do what we feel is helpful for the places we live and our environment. The larger manufacturers may be able to buffer some of the costs for their dealers but not everything and not for very long. We need more ebike shops & repair places and techs who do ebike conversions, not less. In 2008 when the markets crashed, a lot of successful electric bike & scooter dealers were put out of business since no one had cash to buy anything and banks and other lending institutions weren't lending to dealers or buyers. That market constriction has been slow to release and recover and the current policies have the potential to create a similar situation now in the US.
Because of the lack of civility in this thread it is closed to further posts at this time.
I recognize that there are varying opinions expressed within this thread and would like to share that those of us who actually work within the bicycle or ebike industry are being impacted right now by these tariffs. This is not a theoretical pressure game for us; it's real. There is no magic wand to wave to instantaneously build lithium battery plants or bike component plants or some of the components & electronics that go into ebike motors, or magically produce the billions of dollars to build those manufacturing sites. This is how we care for and feed those we love and ourselves along with those who work with us and be able to do what we feel is helpful for the places we live and our environment. The larger manufacturers may be able to buffer some of the costs for their dealers but not everything and not for very long. We need more ebike shops & repair places and techs who do ebike conversions, not less. In 2008 when the markets crashed, a lot of successful electric bike & scooter dealers were put out of business since no one had cash to buy anything and banks and other lending institutions weren't lending to dealers or buyers. That market constriction has been slow to release and recover and the current policies have the potential to create a similar situation now in the US.
Because of the lack of civility in this thread it is closed to further posts at this time.
