E-bike that charges via USB-C

Estonian company Ampler has just introduced two new Nova e-bikes that can be charged with a regular USB-C adapter and cable. The USB-C port is built directly into the bike frame, eliminating the need for a separate converter.

Ampler is known for its reliable e-bikes, and they are even more famous for their excellent repairability, as spare parts can be found in practically every bike shop. It is actually surprising that it took us so long to get USB-C charging in e-bikes. Let's remember that the EU has standardized USB-C as the de facto charging standard, so this decision makes perfect sense. If you accidentally run out of power on the go, it will be much easier to find a suitable USB-C charger.

The relatively small 48V 336Wh onboard battery on the Nova series e-bikes can be charged from zero to 100 % in just three hours with a USB-C PD 3.1 charger that operates at up to 140W. That’s not a record, but it’s perfectly fine. Some e-bikes equipped with the same size battery take five hours or more to charge with proprietary chargers, while others equipped with larger batteries and 300- and multi-watt chargers can cut that time down to about two hours. 240W USB-C chargers are slowly coming to market, so charging speed won’t be an issue.

Amper says that charging will also be possible via the older USB-C PD 3.0 standard, and they also sell their own 140-W charger for €80. You can also use the USB-C port on the e-bike to charge other devices, but the power is limited to 15 W.

The Nova (€2,990) and Nova Pro (€3,490) bikes are available in two versions and three sizes. The motor power is limited to 250 W and the speed is capped at 25 km/h. Pre-orders are now open, with sales starting in June.