Erik Buell has announced Fuell - a new urban electric mobility brand, formerly known as "VanguardSpark" - with its first planned bikes, the 'Fluid' Pedelec at $3,295 and the 'Flow' E-bike at a stunningly low and eminently realistic planned entry-level price-point of $10,995.
Erik Buell has teamed up with legendary engineer Frédéric Vasseur, Alfa Romeo Formula 1 team principal and founder of Spark Racing Technology (which builds the Formula E racers), and Francois-Xavier Terny, a transatlantic entrepreneur "fond of industrial endeavours," to create a "genuinely new experience entirely focused on the urban rider - Fuell is all about creating freedom and emotion through innovation."
The 'Fluid' will be offered as a Pedelec (max 20 mph) or S-Pedelec (max 28 mph), requiring helmet and insurance in most States. Described as a "robust and elegant electric bike with exceptional range (up to 125 miles thanks to its two removable batteries with a total of 1,000Wh) and generous torque (100Nm)" and as being "virtually maintenance-free with its carbon belt and internal hub gears."
In the context of competitive Pedelec offerings, the 'Fluid' looks to be a powerful, stylish and upscale example of its kind, drawing from urban-proof BMX design best practice and likely to offer a versatile urban mobility solution that should fully justify its quite reasonable price tag.
The 'Flow' on the other hand is a fully formed E-bike concept - a bona fide electric motorcycle available in 11kW (125 cc equivalent) or 35kW (motorcycle licence) versions, combining practical features for the urban journey (integrated 50 litre/13 gallon internal storage), technological innovations (proprietary wheel-motor1, connected dashboard) and "unparalleled driving pleasure" (thanks to its acceleration and low centre of gravity) in a stylish, contemporary package.
The 'Fluid' and 'Flow' prototypes will be in New York City before end of March 2019 for 4 to 5 weeks to be presented to investors, journalists and influencers - not available as pre-production prototypes for test rides yet, but as concept provers and available to be seen by appointment only - a full reveal is slated for April 23rd.
