How to make a two-wheel electric vehicle that is more suitable for young people?
Recently, Zhiting, a live-streaming operation staff who just moved to a new house, is somewhat troubled. The new home is a loft that is 50 square meters larger than the previous one. The sunlight can shine into the kitchen through the floor-to-ceiling windows, which is very comfortable. However, on the other hand, she needs to accept the awkward geographical location of the apartment, which is 3 kilometers away from the company and there is no direct subway or bus.
Due to job requirements, Zhiting needs to follow two shifts of live broadcasts every day. Walking to work is too far, cycling is too tiring, and taking a taxi frequently is a considerable expense. Considering convenience and time cost, a two-wheel electric vehicle is undoubtedly the most suitable means of transportation. After visiting several brand stores, Zhiting's indecision kicked in.
In the past, when buying electric vehicles, users paid more attention to their appearance, battery life, charging, and battery safety. Now, in various offline stores, the focus of salespeople's introduction has become intelligent functions such as automatic unlocking, route planning, and location tracking. The price of two-wheel electric vehicles has also increased from one or two thousand yuan to five or six thousand yuan, or even five-digit figures.
Two-wheel electric vehicle travel is a high-frequency and rigid demand among people in the first and second-tier cities in China. It is small in size, flexible in driving, and more convenient for parking. Today, on many urban streets, you can see two-wheel electric vehicles of various colors and fashionable designs shuttling among them.
An obvious trend is that the needs of new consumer users in the mobile Internet era are changing. Nowadays, when users buy a car, intelligent functions have become an important consideration for purchasing products. This is the case for new energy vehicles, and the same is true for two-wheel electric vehicles. At the same time, their requirements for product quality and performance are also constantly improving. Two-wheel electric vehicles with strong battery life and short charging time are more favored by users. This also drives various manufacturers to explore more comprehensive intelligent connection functions to improve the user experience and achieve convenient and safe human-vehicle interaction.
Taking No. 9 Company, which is currently at the forefront of the intelligentization level, as an example, since entering the two-wheel electric vehicle market, it has taken "intelligentization, high-endization, and youthfulness" as its product strategic positioning, and has quickly gained market recognition, which has also brought rapid performance growth to No. 9. According to official data, in 2024, the revenue of No. 9's two-wheel electric vehicle business continued to grow. In the third quarter, the sales volume in the Chinese region reached 2.1347 million units, an increase of 86.08% year-on-year; at the same time, the sales revenue in the Chinese region also achieved a synchronous growth, reaching 5.908 billion yuan, an increase of 87.45% year-on-year.
New energy vehicles have told the most attractive capital story in the market in recent years. Now, this trend has spread to more means of transportation, and two-wheel electric vehicles are one of them. In China, there are more than 1 billion two-wheel travel demands every day, which has derived a huge and highly competitive transportation market.
The intelligentization of electric vehicles is an irreversible trend. With more enterprises entering the two-wheel vehicle track, the application of technologies such as big data integration, AI + intelligent Internet of Things, and the continuous expansion of diversified travel scenarios, it can be predicted that it will promote a new round of innovation in the two-wheel electric vehicle industry. Among them, how enterprises establish competitive barrier advantages based on core technologies will become the decisive force for whether they can occupy a certain market share.
Intelligentization Spreads to Two-Wheel Electric Vehicles
According to data from the China Bicycle Association, in 2023, the number of two-wheel electric vehicles in China exceeded 350 million, with an average of one two-wheel electric vehicle for every three people, and the scale has surpassed that of automobiles. Among them, the proportion of the young group under the age of 35 is expanding, showing a stronger preference for high-end intelligent two-wheel electric vehicles. It not only has a significant advantage in economy but also can meet the needs of short-distance travel in the city.
The common intelligent two-wheel electric vehicles mainly include two types: One is that traditional electric vehicle brands focus on the mid-range market and add intelligent functions based on the original vehicle models; the second type is represented by No. 9 and other new force brands, which aim at intelligentization and high-end lines at the beginning of product definition.
Since the implementation of the first version of the new national standard, the two-wheel electric vehicle has ushered in a wave of replacement purchases. On January 13 this year, the second version of the new national standard for electric vehicles, the mandatory national standard "Technical Specifications for Safety of Electric Bicycles" (GB 17761—2024), was officially released and will be implemented from September 1, 2025.
This time, there is no clear transition period stipulated for the sold old national standard vehicles, which has little stimulating effect on the demand for vehicle replacement. However, this standard requires that electric bicycles have Beidou positioning, communication, and dynamic safety monitoring functions. And these functions, the intelligent new force brands have already taken the lead. It can be predicted that the intelligentization technology will inevitably become a part of enterprise competition.
Released by Xinhua News Agency, Cheng Shuo制图 Some screenshots
The intelligentization of two-wheel electric vehicles is first reflected in software services, especially the application of intelligent interconnection and data analysis technologies. Through the Internet of Things, big data, and cloud computing technologies, two-wheel electric vehicles can achieve remote monitoring, intelligent management, and data analysis, thereby improving the user experience and safety.
Intelligent two-wheel electric vehicles connect the vehicle with the mobile phone APP through the carrying of 5G, Beidou positioning and other communication modules. Through the mobile phone APP, users can remotely view the vehicle status, control the vehicle switch lock, and set the electronic fence, etc.
Take the intelligent vehicle lock function as an example. The current intelligent vehicle locks of each family include different types such as induction lock, mobile phone unlock, and fingerprint unlock. For example, the induction unlock can complete the induction switch lock and self-lock when leaving the vehicle without taking out the key, liberating the hands. Users no longer need to carry mechanical keys with them, avoiding the safety risks of not twisting, not pulling out, and losing during use, preventing vehicle theft problems, and improving the convenience and safety of vehicle use.
According to data from iResearch, intelligent vehicle locks and APP remote control have become the standard configuration of intelligent two-wheel electric vehicle products.
Battery life, as one of the key points that two-wheel electric vehicle users pay attention to, can also be effectively improved through intelligent functions. For example, the introduction of the BMS system can detect the battery status in real time, select the best charging method, and extend the battery life. The application of intelligent chargers and energy recovery technologies can also improve the charging efficiency and energy utilization rate.
The iteration of the hardware level is a key factor in the intelligentization of two-wheel electric vehicles. The wide application of sensors, intelligent chips and other hardware can effectively improve the safety, convenience, and energy efficiency of two-wheel electric vehicles.
Sensors are the basis of the intelligentization of two-wheel electric vehicles. By carrying gravity sensors, temperature sensors, voltage sensors, etc., two-wheel electric vehicles can monitor the vehicle status in real time to ensure riding safety. For example, the No. 9 intelligent two-wheel electric vehicle can avoid the vehicle from starting when it is being pushed through gravity sensing, thereby preventing accidents.
The application of intelligent chips makes the central control system of two-wheel electric vehicles more intelligent. The intelligent central control is equipped with an intelligent chip or ECU to realize the multimedia control and power system management of the vehicle through the automotive-grade bus communication technology. At the same time, it is externally connected with communication modules such as positioning and Bluetooth to realize the vehicle networking interaction.
With the increase of young user groups, the intelligentization and personalization demands of two-wheel electric vehicles are showing a continuous growth trend.
On the one hand, they pay more attention to the personal experience during driving, and intelligent functions have gradually become the core considerations for users when buying a car, including functions such as automatic locking, riding / parking sensing, and route planning and navigation. On the other hand, the customized demand that can show individuality is increasingly prominent among this consumer group, and the brand awareness is strengthened. More diversified choices and services are needed from manufacturers.
When the scene and user needs change, intelligentization becomes an inevitable proposition, and it is accelerating towards the two-wheel electric vehicle industry.
"True Intelligence 3.0", Aiming at the Fine-grained Scene Demands
As the connection point between the brand and the user, whether the intelligent functions of the product experience can accurately hit the pain points of the scene directly affects the user's perception and recognition of the two-wheel electric vehicle brand.
In this context, two-wheel electric vehicle manufacturers are seeking ways to break through, continuously exerting efforts at the technical level, and continuously optimizing products to bring users a better driving experience.
No. 9 Company entered the two-wheel electric vehicle track in December 2019, taking "intelligentization, high-endization, and youthfulness" as its strategic positioning, and released its first product in the same year, proposing the concept of "True Intelligence". On January 3 this year, No. 9 Company held the "True Intelligence 3.0" technology conference, officially unveiling the newly upgraded "True Intelligence 3.0". Focusing on fine-grained functional services, it is positioned as "Enjoy" to meet the different needs of different users in multiple scenarios.
Safety performance is the main focus of No. 9 in exploring intelligentization. Specifically, to some extent, True Intelligence 3.0 is trying to bring the electric two-wheel vehicle closer to the automotive direction, and achieve intelligentization and high-endization of the product in the comparison of the same-level products by lowering the automotive functions.
ESP is the abbreviation of the Electronic Stability Program of the vehicle body. It integrates multiple solutions for out-of-control scenarios, including ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), TCS (Traction Control System), and EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution). This safety assistance system has been widely used in the automotive field since its launch, and No. 9 has also introduced it into True Intelligence 3.0. On the basis of the deployed ABS and TCS solutions, the third self-developed safety configuration of EBD has been launched.
When driving a two-wheel electric vehicle or motorcycle daily, brake braking is the first line of defense to ensure people's life safety. However, in the event of an emergency, it is often easy to cause a dangerous situation due to improper operation of the front and rear brakes in a panic. According to industry research data, in motorcycle accidents, accidents caused by improper brake braking account for 30% of the total. The two-wheel electric vehicle driving group is more extensive, and the driving skills are uneven. The proportion of accidents caused by improper brake use is estimated to be more than 40%.
Insight into this user pain point, No. 9 has proposed the vehicle body stability system NinebotESP in True Intelligence 3.0. NinebotESP is linked with ABS and TCS by the newly launched NinebotEBD system. In the face of different road conditions, such as dry road or downhill section, uphill section or wet road, it can respond to a series of elements such as the vehicle tire slip rate, wheel speed, vehicle speed, and vehicle center of gravity distribution based on the actual ground state.
Even for novice users, no matter how they use the front and rear brakes, the NinebotEBD system can give the optimal front and rear braking force distribution scheme for the current scene; at the same time, the linkage of the three systems can also stabilize the vehicle body posture to a certain extent, to alleviate the anxiety of novice users in dealing with emergencies and ensure driving safety.
It is understood that in the future, No. 9 will continue to deploy more active safety configurations, popularize TCS (Traction Control System) in all products, popularize ABS in products with a price of more than 4,000 yuan, and popularize ESP system in products with a price of more than 8,000 yuan.
The integration of True Intelligence 3.0 with AI technology is also a major highlight this time, and its intelligence lies in how to better achieve human-vehicle interaction.
NinebotSIGHT is an AI visual assistance system, which is equipped with a camera module with three integrated high-performance AI chips, and has a visual warning function, including Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Lane Departure Warning (LCW), and Rear Collision Warning (RCW), etc.
During the user's riding process, NinebotSIGHT will record and identify potential risks in real time and issue an alarm in a timely manner. For example, after setting the helmet riding detection permission for the system, once it is found that the user is not wearing a helmet, the vehicle cannot be ridden to improve driving safety; at the same time, it also has a certain life and entertainment function. When the user wants to take pictures of the surrounding scenery, the video recording mode can be turned on through gestures.
Overall, the True Intelligence 3.0 released by No. 9 this time continues its strategic positioning of "intelligentization, high-endization, and youthfulness". It is a technical iteration based on the previous two generations of intelligent systems, and a precise grasp of the changing needs of young users in multiple scenarios. It connects the entire chain of intelligentization from technology, function to product end, thereby providing a more convenient, safe, and intelligent riding experience.
Two-Wheel Electric Vehicles Moving to the Next Level
According to the data disclosed by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, in 2024, the market size of two-wheel electric bicycles in China is expected to exceed 112.982 billion yuan, with a year-on-year growth of 14%.
If we use one word to describe the current two-wheel electric vehicle industry, it is nothing but "competitive". On the one hand, the policy dividend period brought by the new national standard is coming to an end, and the era of high growth has come to an end; on the other hand, a large number of enterprise players are pouring in, differentiating the market.
At the same time, the maturity of the entire two-wheel electric vehicle market is increasing day by day. From the homogeneous competition of competing for cost and fighting price wars in the early years to the current intelligentization technology and refined service competition, it shows a more stable upward trend.
Zhao Peng, an investor who focuses on the intelligent travel field, told 36Kr, "With the intelligent development of two-wheel electric vehicles, some software and hardware functions are decentralized, and many electric vehicles with a price range of one or two thousand yuan also have functions such as automatic unlocking and trajectory query. Users will pursue more cost-effective products. But we believe that in the long term, the trend of consumption upgrading still exists. High-performance products, exquisite design, and high-quality services are the keys to the sustainable development of the brand and occupying the market share. "
From the data side, it can be seen that No. 9, based on intelligentization and high-endization, has locked in a part of loyal users, and the sales volume and sales revenue of the two-wheel electric vehicle business continue to rise. Among them, in the first three quarters of 2024, the sales