VanMoof has launched a removeable range extender for its S3 and X3 models. Another benefit of the PowerBank is that it charges the bikes’ internal batteries, meaning you don’t necessarily have to bring your bike indoors when you run out of juice.
The 378Wh 2.8kg PowerBank is a distinctive triangle shape that slots into your bike’s frame with the aid of a ‘Lock Dock’.
VanMoof say it will give users an extra 45km on full power, or an extra 100km on economy mode.
It charges from 0-100% in three hours or up to 70% in two.
In many ways, the PowerBank is a battery for your battery, because you can’t actually use it as a direct power source when the internal one is empty.
If you’ve totally run dry, your motor will only kick in again once the PowerBank has recharged the main battery to about 5%.
It will however charge your bike both while it's stationary and while you’re on the move, so that shouldn’t really be a problem. Plus it will make charging easier for a lot of people because there’s no longer a need to get the bike near a power socket.
The PowerBank costs £315 and VanMoof are already taking orders – although the website does state that delivery won’t be for 10-12 weeks.
Earlier this month, we reported how VanMoof’s S3 and X3 e-bikes are among the first third-party products to make use of Apple’s Find My network.
Find My, which has up until now only been for Apple products, allows customers to locate and keep track of important items via an app. You can now play a sound in the Find My app to easily locate your VanMoof bike when it’s nearby, or put it in Lost Mode and let the Find My network help you track it down if it’s further away.
