Segway & Vinfast Unveil New Electric Bikes at CES 2024

Two micromobility veterans have decided to enter the electric bicycle market this year at CES 2024, with both Segway and Vinfast launching their first electric bikes at the massive tradeshow in Las Vegas this past week.

Vinfast, a Vietnam-based EV automotive company that has been part of Vingroup since 2017, is a key player in the global smart electric vehicle revolution. Operating from a cutting-edge manufacturing complex in Hai Phong, Vietnam, with 90% automation, VinFast is dedicated to creating a sustainable future.

Through continuous innovation, it offers high-quality products, smart services, and seamless customer experiences, encouraging global collaboration for a future of smart mobility and a sustainable planet.

After teasing a few options at CES 2023, they have now released the DrgnFly, a 750W-powered electric bike that is their first foray into the US electric bike market. Priced at $2800 USD, the DrgnFly is set to be chock full of features, such as embedded 4G connection and a feature-rich companion app, as well as a range of smart features, including riding modes, remote locking/bike locator (GPS), ride statistics records, and remote diagnostics.

However, many bikes in this price and power range come with these same features. So what differentiates the DrgnFly from its competitors? Well, according to some, not much. While Vinfast claims that the frame and bike design some from world-class Danish design studio Eskild Hansen, others can't help but notice the similarities between the DrgnFly and other notable electric bikes.

Is Vinfast playing it a little too safe as they enter the electric bike market for the first time? Only time will tell, but if they want to learn a thing or two about shaking up an industry with unique designs, they need to look no further than Segway, who has also decided to enter the electric bike market.

Segway launches two new electric bikes

Industry disruptor Segway, famous for its unique designs and concepts, is now entering the burgeoning electric bike market with two very different offerings. While both the Xafari and the Xyber are technically electric bikes, they will appeal to two very different demographics.

The Xafari seems to fit into the adventure/off-road crowd, with an extremely large 913Wh battery that is married to a powerful 750W rear-hub motor that gives the rider up to 80Nm of torque. Coupled with dual-suspension and a sleek-looking design, Segway looks to have done its research on what riders are looking for in this type of electric bike.

Alternatively, the Xyber looks to be a set of pegs away from being an electric motorcycle. With 120mm of front and rear suspension, as well as up to 2880 WH of battery power and 175 Nm of torque, there is no doubt that the Xyber fits into very few categories when it comes to electric bicycles. However, without more information on the specifications or target market, it is easy for us to speculate on what type of riders this 'e-bike' might be marketed towards but we will have to wait and see when more information becomes available.

What does it all mean?

What we are seeing here is just an influx of companies wanting to diversify their reach in the EV market by introducing some electric bikes to their lineup. Is it market-changing? Not likely. Revolutionary? Not a chance. Yet having more companies join the market does two things: It gives even more legitimacy to the electric bike market AND it dilutes a market that is already swimming neck-deep in electric bike offerings.

Neither is terrible since the market is set to continue its meteoric rise in sales, while quality companies and products almost always rise to the top of the heap. Will these two new offerings join other established companies as industry leaders? Only time will tell but we will be keeping an eye on both moving forward.