Electrify NZ has bought rival Electric Bikes to form the nation’s largest supplier and retail network of the devices. 

The combined business now sells through 70 independent suppliers and eight franchised retail stores. 

Demand for electric bikes in New Zealand has surged from around 2000 units in 2014 to an estimated 50,000 last year

Electrify NZ founder Michael Tritt said his company – which only sells e-bikes and related accessories – doubled its sales during the last financial year. 

The company distributes international brands including KTM, Haibike, Magnum, Gocycle and Gepida, as well as their own locally designed Black electric bikes. By acquiring Electric Bikes, the company will add local brand Smartmotion and UK-based Wisper to its lineup.

While the industry has faced significant supply-chain issues in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, inhouse brands designed in New Zealand and manufactured in China, “helped shield the company from some of the turmoil,” he said.

“Some bikes we ordered from Europe two years ago still haven’t arrived but our inhouse brands designed in New Zealand and manufactured in China mean we have a fairly solid supply chain.”

The acquisition of the rival company will help add certainty to the company’s supply, said Tritt.

Electric Bike founder Anthony Clyde, considered the pioneer of the category in New Zealand, will join Electrify NZ in an advisory and design capacity. 

“Our focus has always been on designing and distributing bikes that meet the needs of New Zealand customers, and with Electrify NZ’s trading company Urban Cleantech being 100-per-cent New Zealand owned, we know that the customer-focused values that have driven our success will be continued into the future,” said Clyde.

“With this sale, I’m looking forward to focusing on e-bike design moving forward, which is where my passion for e-bikes began.”