Bosch eBike Systems plans to announce something new at CES 2025, possibly related to the advancement of its electric bike battery technology. A mysterious teaser video gives a taste of what's to come.
In the video seen below, the Bosch PowerPack 800 e-bike battery can be seen along with the words “Protect what matters” on both sides of the battery.
The clues can lead to several methods, possibly related to battery safety or theft prevention improvements.
Does Bosch produce potted bike batteries?
One possible theory centers on the possibility that Bosch may have introduced potted batteries, a design that encapsulates the internal components and battery cells in resin or other hard protective materials. This construction method is highly valued for its resistance to water, shock, and vibration, making it ideal for mountain bikers and riders riding in challenging terrain.
Although the concept is not new, it is not yet common in the electric bicycle battery industry. Last year, electric bike brand Rad Power Bikes introduced new pot batteries as part of their SafeShield line of batteries.
The practice raises some concerns about the recyclability of such batteries, but Rad Power Bikes said its SafeShield batteries are still recyclable. Access to the cells is difficult when potted batteries are disconnected, but many battery recycling systems grind the entire battery and use a series of separators such as magnets, screens, and centrifuges to separate the essentials for recycling.
The switch to pot batteries marks a significant increase in battery safety, especially for riders in rough terrain or riding in wet conditions. Physical damage and water ingress (especially salt water from coastal regions or areas with high road salt) are the two main causes of bike battery burns. Although such fires are still rare considering the large number of e-bike batteries in circulation, addressing those two areas, which are often seen in Bosch's two main markets of electric mountain bikes and e-bikes, could go a long way towards improvement. security.
Does Bosch have a new anti-theft system?
Another possible explanation for the theory may be related to crime fighting technology. Battery theft has become a growing problem for e-bike riders, especially in urban areas where bikes are often left locked outside. Bosch may address this issue by introducing integrated anti-theft features.
Possible innovations could include built-in GPS trackers for finding stolen batteries, less invasive locking mechanisms, or remote disabling capabilities that disable a stolen battery.
Other companies, such as the now-defunct Juiced Bikes, have built bike batteries with pockets specially designed to hide Airtags or other location tracking devices.
While the details are still under wraps, Bosch's teaser has created a buzz in the e-bike community due to the e-bike maker's huge market share. An official announcement from Bosch is expected soon, and we'll report back as soon as we know more.
Until then, let us hear your thoughts in the comments section below. What could Bosch engineers be cooking up this time?
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