Given the fear of traveling by public transport again as a result of the coronavirus, the business of electric bicycles and skateboards is advancing as the first option, to replace people's trips to work, in a safer and healthier way.

In terms of mobility, it is no longer news that a more sustainable world is coming, with electric batteries and other ways of moving within cities, which were accelerated by Covid-19. A recent Adecco survey states that almost half of Argentine workers (46.74%) will avoid using public transportation when they can resume their work routines. From Rodar Electric, a company that manufactures and markets electric vehicles, with headquarters in La Plata and CABA, they maintain that during the quarantine they experienced a 230% growth in sales.

"To avoid close contact with other people, many will be turning to single-person electric transportation, leaving aside public transportation. If the state facilitates access to financing without so many requirements, this type of mobility can really be imposed and stay forever. Unfortunately due to the fear of Covid-19, but for the benefit of our business, people quickly began to inquire about this type of products, reinforcing the growth that the market had been experiencing," says Juan Martín Savage, founder of Rodar Electric.

What should be taken into account when buying a bike?
1. Know how to ride a bicycle. 2. Look for quality, since it is a transport that will be on the street daily. 3. That the battery has the autonomy to cover the distance you need to travel daily. 4. Make sure the vehicle is comfortable for you as it will surely be your new means of mobility. 5. Wear a protective helmet and padlock to prevent theft. 6. Have after-sales service and warranty. 7. Optionally it can be insured against theft.

Technical details
The autonomy is 25 to 55 kilometers; the lithium battery, which is recharged in any traditional socket such as a cell phone or notebook and lasts between 800 and 1000 complete charge and discharge cycles (approximately 30,000 km or 3 and a half years of useful life). The maintenance cost of an electric bicycle is zero, given that its motors are free of brushes and gears; Its maintenance is the same as that of a conventional bicycle (brake and gear adjustments). There are no registration fees, parking fees, fuel costs and no driver's license is required.

Prices.
There are already appliance companies, and even cars, entering the industry. Electric bicycle models cost from approximately $68,000 to $200,000; Shipments are made nationwide and the warranty is 12 months on all products; It can be paid with Mercado Pago, transfer or credit cards.

Investment, billing and plans.
In an investment round they raised 1 million dollars; By 2020 they expect to invoice 120 million pesos and in 2021, reach 200 million pesos. They have already sold more than 689 electric bicycles so far in 2020 and they aim to reach 1,500 in December. They are already developing their first electric skateboard and plan to launch it in spring. They started in a 3x8 meter garage and today they have almost 1000 m2 of workshop; premises in La Plata and Microcentro, one block from the obelisk. In addition to manufacturing and marketing, they now also provide service for all types of one-person electric vehicles.

Rodar Electric began manufacturing the first electric bicycle in Latin America, although a few years ago they also added the concept of empowering and reusing the conventional bikes that we have in our homes and converting them into e-bikes.
"I like to see it as the iPod. There are many devices for listening to music such as electric kits, but the simplicity of the Ge Road is not achieved in any of them, it fits perfectly to any type of bicycle just by changing the front wheel, you can travel several kilometers without getting tired and get to work without sweating and it turns the bike into an electric vehicle with an assisted pedaling system," concludes Savage.