Sustainability

From Bosch with respect

Sustainability is a joint project. Everyone can contribute to protecting resources and reducing emissions - out of respect for nature and the next generation. Especially in traffic: Our mobility causes more than one fifth of all CO2 emissions worldwide. Riding an eBike helps to lower this value.

Because it can provide relief for traffic as well as for the climate. An eBike makes the way to work more relaxed and the car often dispensable, whether for transporting people or loads. It takes up little space and doesn't cause noise or exhaust fumes. The switch is a win for the environment. And therefore for all of us.

Das eBike ist eines der umweltfreundlichsten Verkehrsmittel überhaupt. Mit ihm bist Du nachhaltig mobil – flexibel, emissionsfrei, leise und klimaschonend.

Das eBike ist die nächste Evolutionsstufe des Radfahrens. Du fährst länger, weiter und höher, ohne dass die Nachhaltigkeit darunter leidet.

Das eBike transportiert Personen oder Lasten besonders auf kurzen Distanzen effektiv und effizient. Dadurch eignet es sich perfekt, um das Auto oder andere Verkehrsmittel zu ersetzen.

Sustainability starts at the very beginning. Right from the development stage of a product, we give high priority to its resource requirements and environmental impact. In this "Design for Environment" process, we examine how a new product can be designed to be as sustainable as possible, across the entire value chain. Starting with the selection of environmentally friendly raw materials and the use of recycled materials, through energy-saving manufacturing steps to the design of packaging that is as sustainable as possible.

This approach is in line with Bosch's sustainability strategy. It aims to minimize the environmental impact of products, ensure transparency and responsibility in the supply chain and establish a circular economy.

In order to compare the sustainability of means of transport, the CO2 footprint over the entire life cycle is a key measure. Together with TÜV Rheinland Energy GmbH, we have calculated and evaluated the Product Carbon Footprint according to the international standard (ISO14067). The result: About 75 percent of the CO2 footprint of an eBike is due to manufacturing, 15 percent to actual use, and the rest is due to transport, packaging and recycling. For the entire lifetime of an eBike, the CO2 footprint is about 14g/km.

If you only consider the time you spend on the road with your eBike, the electricity consumption only results in an average CO2 value of 2-5g/km, depending on the electricity mix. In comparison, according to the Federal Environment Agency, cars emit about 150 g CO2/person-kilometer (pkm), while public transportation emits between 60 and 80 g CO2/km. Compared to all other means of transportation, the bicycle and the eBike are significantly lower in emissions.

“With our products, we want to contribute to a climate-friendly future in which people are mobile in a sustainable, flexible and fun way.”

Claus Fleischer,
CEO Bosch eBike Systems

Piece by piece to sustainability

To evaluate the sustainability of eBikes it is necessary to look closely at all the individual components. The eBike system
turns a bicycle into a means of transportation of electromobility. The drive, battery & display provide electric tailwind, flexibility and riding enjoyment.

Batteries

The ecological footprint of an eBike is largely determined by the production, use and recycling of the battery. That's why we do everything we can to maximize their service life and support sustainable recycling solutions.

Drives

A central lever for reducing the environmental impact of our drives lies in the consistent conservation of materials. We always try to make the next generations of our components smaller, more compact and lighter. The most important components of the drive come from a network of European and German suppliers.

Display solutions

compared to the drive & battery, the ecological footprint of the display solutions is much smaller. Nevertheless, for all products we are also looking at how we can optimize durability, increase the material mix and at the same time improve the reparability of our products.

Batteries and recycling

Maximum service life

The ecological footprint of an eBike is determined by the production, use and recycling of the battery. That's why we do everything possible to maximize their service life and to ensure proper disposal. You can find more on the subject of batteries in our battery guide.

To the battery guide

At Bosch, we have a common aspiration: By acting in an economically, ecologically and socially responsible manner, we want to improve people's quality of life and protect the livelihoods of present and future
generations. We are playing a pioneering role in climate protection in particular. Since 2020, the more than 400 Bosch locations worldwide - from development to production to administration - no longer leave a carbon footprint. This of course includes all Bosch eBike Systems locations.

With the Bosch eBike Systems product range, we are also making an important contribution to the sustainable mobility of the future. Not only as part of our corporate responsibility, but also out of respect for customers, partners and the environment. Because as eBikers we feel a special bond
to nature. Making a positive contribution to environmental protection is not just a matter of common sense for us - it is a matter of the heart.

Find out more

Any further questions?

Have a look at our FAQ-section. There we have already answered many important questions about sustainability for you.

Go to the FAQs