Responsible use of our planet’s finite resources also means that a product must be designed for longevity. It is a well-known fact that these attributes have been pushed further and further into the background in recent decades. Many items are manufactured so cheaply that repairs are not worthwhile and defective parts or the entire product are simply replaced with a new one – even if they are flown or shipped in from distant countries. TWIKE’s brand philosophy is different. Sustainably produced products are often more expensive. One reason for this is that the quantities are smaller and the components are purchased at a higher cost than for large series. On the other hand, components are often used that are manufactured to a higher quality and are intended to achieve a long service life.
A long service life can also be achieved through extensive maintenance and regular care – there are said to be some classic car owners whose head is more often seen under the hood than behind the windscreen. However, TWIKE’s aim is to offer a vehicle that is 100% suitable for everyday use. The TWIKE is designed to be on the road for as long as possible without major maintenance. This is where the electric drive offers considerable advantages per se: it is significantly less complex and consists of far fewer (wearing) parts. Electric motors are low-vibration and there is no gearbox. Braking through “electric recuperation” reduces wear on brake disks and pads. Engine oil, urea, timing belt change? You don’t need any of that!
The TWIKE 3 already has a service life of over 20 years, and the first models have already clocked up over 300,000 km. The TWIKE 5 is designed to be even easier to service and repair and is expected to last for at least 30 years and over 750,000 km
Despite the advantages mentioned above, it is an important criterion for TWIKE customers that service and repair services are readily available if necessary – for many riders, this is rightly a necessary prerequisite for their purchase decision. The new TWIKE 5 has therefore been designed to enable more demanding service work to be carried out in generally approved car and motorcycle workshops. Various jobs require the qualification of an electrician, but this is now a common qualification in workshops. The wheels (winter ⇔ summer) could also be changed by the customer if necessary.
Freie Werkstätten sind praktisch überall zu finden, Spezialwerkzeuge sind für Wartung oder Reparatur nicht zwingend erforderlich. So wird das TWIKE 5 schnell ein flächendeckendes Servicenetz erhalten, ohne dafür tiefere Investitionen tätigen zu müssen. Die Langlebigkeit sorgt zudem für einen guten Werterhalt – wodurch sich wie bei vielen nachhaltigen Produkten der höhere Anschaffungspreis relativiert.
