A lock for e-bike batteries
Electric bicycles with detachable batteries are easy to charge. The problem is that the batteries are valuable (between €200-800) and therefore a huge target for thieves.
In The Netherlands, about 9.000 e-bike batteries get stolen per year. That’s more than one every hour.
A trained thief can “bypass” the factory integrated lock with one hard kick. 10 seconds of “work” for €800.
This lock makes it much more difficult to steal the battery, with almost no inconvenience for the owner. This well-selling lock can be self-installed by the consumer.
The latest iteration of the lock incorporates a lot of consumer feedback. Instead of two padlocks, this version now has the same level of security using a single padlock.
I made it my personal quest to allow this lock to fit as many e-bikes in this form-factor (fat bike) as possible. In doing so the production and handling costs can be kept reasonable, plus it is easier for the consumer to find the right lock for their bicycle.
On a personal note,
I have long been fascinated by locks. Why? Locks are (mostly) a physical restraint, that keep unwanted people from doing something that the one who controls the lock should still be able to do. But, as with anything in security, a good lock is only as strong as its weakest link.
Thieves are willing to go great lengths to find a weakness in the security. After all, once they figure it out, there are a lot of 10 second / €800 opportunities out there. A lock acts as a deterrent and it costs time to bypass. The better the lock, the more time needed to get past it.
The real trick is not compromising the ease of use for the owner of the lock, while keeping unwanted individuals out for as long as possible.
