CAKE's fossil-free motorcycle
By Ben Purvis
Swedish lightweight electric bike maker CAKE has signed up with energy company Vattenfall to work on the creation of what it believes will be the world's first 'fossil-free' motorcycle.
Aiming for production in 2025, the bike won't just be electric - like all CAKE's current products - but be manufactured from the ground up, including the supply chain, without using fossil fuels. Since manufacturing makes up a substantial element of the carbon emissions of a bike in its entire lifecycle, it is a worthy goal, even if it will take time to achieve.
Annika Ramsköld, Head of Corporate Sustainability at Vattenfall, said: "This collaboration is an excellent example of how we can contribute with fossil-free know-how and supply chain expertise in a specific product that drives towards zero emissions."
CAKE's founder and CEO, Stefan Ytterborn, added: "This truly empowers our ability to further inspire towards clean transportation, together with the amazing force of Vattenfall, their initiatives, know-how and clear targets."
The Swedish company, which introduced its first model, the Kalk, in 2018, has since grown to offer a range of electric bikes, with both road-legal and off-road models, including the Ösa+ and Ösa Lite - a pair of utility machines - the Kalk INK and street-legal Kalk INK SL, and the race-oriented Kalk OR Race and Kalk INK Race.
Most recently it has added the Kalk AP to the range, standing for 'anti-poaching' and due to be made in a limited run of 50 bikes. Unusually, buyers spending € 25,000 on the Kalk AP are actually paying for two machines. One is the individually numbered bike that is delivered to them, the other is sent to the Southern African Wildlife College, along with a solar charge station.
CAKE has also opened a new $25m factory in Albyberg, Stockholm, this summer, setting a goal to produce 20,000 bikes annually. Under the company's expansion plans, it hopes to employ 250 people at Albyberg by 2025 and have 1,000 global employees by 2030.
