Toyota has presented what is the first electric bicycle of its history, or at least of its modern era. It’s about the Toyota T-Bike, an e-mtb that, through hardtail-type geometry and simple components, pretends to be a useful tool both for daily transport and for more recreational purposes. However, and to the misfortune of those who in Spain were waiting for a product of this type from Toyota, at the moment the Toyota T-Bike will only be available in Argentina.
That it is a Toyota electric bicycle is evident from the first moment you look at its frame. Available in black and red, the Japanese brand’s typography finds a place on each side of its lower tube.
Despite this, it is not an electric bicycle developed by the brand itself, but rather To launch an e-bike of this type on the market, the Argentine division of Toyota has partnered with Enerby, an Argentine manufacturer specializing in the field of electric bicycles. It is for this same reason that the Toyota T-Bike cannot be expected to land commercially in Spain.
To shape the T-Bike, Toyota and Enerby have turned to top brand components, although always within the economic range of each specialist. For example, in the field of suspension we find a front fork manufactured by the renowned Suntour, more specifically an XCM 32 model spring, while for both the brakes and the gears they have resorted to the ever-present Shimano. A BL-MT200 hydraulic system is in the hands of braking power, while an Acera 8V gearbox will send pedaling power to the rear wheel.
For the electric assistance system, Toyota has relied on Probattery, a regular component supplier in Argentina. The T-Bike relies on a hub-type motor scheme positioned on the rear wheel (an economical solution) and a battery integrated into the lower tube of the frame (they do not comment on whether it is removable or not). The motor delivers a nominal power of 350 W with power peaks of up to 500 W, while the battery has a capacity of 374.4 Wh (36 V and 10.4 Ah).
With all of the above, the Toyota T-Bike will be able to assist pedaling up to 25 kilometers per hour, while with a full battery charge it will be able to travel between 30 and 70 kilometers, depending on the pedaling circumstances.
The Argentine division of the Japanese firm has put it up for sale in exchange for a price of 378,000 pesos, which at the current exchange rate is around 2,340 euros. It is a fair price that is in line with the most affordable mountain bike models from leading brands (such as Orbea or Scott), although if a similar product from Toyota arrives in Spain, a lower price than this cannot be expected.