Traditional CargoBikes are failing under commercial use. It’s time for a new standard, and a new generation of professional eCargobikes. Mothium joins UNE and CEN to help lead the change
CargoBikes are a great solution for city logistics. They are clean, efficient, and can replace vans in last-mile deliveries. But many companies who tried them are now disappointed. We hear this often:
“Traditional Cargobikes break too often. Our drivers use them a lot, but they don’t last.”
But the truth is: it’s not the drivers’ fault.
Most CargoBikes on the market today were not designed for professional, heavy use. They use parts for personal bikes, not strong enough for daily delivery work. They fail because they were not made for that job
This isn’t just theory — it’s happening in the field. Fin, one of the most innovative operators in last-mile logistics, shared their experience in a Financial Times article
“Fin’s experience also highlighted the sector’s reliability challenges.”
“The company had decided against buying certain quadracycles partly because they used non-standard parts developed in-house.”
“Fin returned other machines after suffering multiple broken wheels and chassis.”
These real-world failures make it clear: the CargoBike industry cannot scale until reliability becomes non-negotiable.
And that’s exactly what Mothium is here to deliver.
Our CargoBike is designed from day one to survive real commercial use, with the mindset and rigor of automotive engineering. Everything — from frame structure to battery system to steering — is built around intensive logistics operations.
Because we know what’s really missing in this market:
➡️ Trust.
➡️ Reliability.
➡️ A professional vehicle that actually delivers.
And beyond durability, we’re equally obsessed with rider comfort and safety. Because if a vehicle is used 6–10 hours a day, every detail matters. That’s why Mothium also leads in driver ergonomics, with comfortable seating, easy controls, smart visibility, and stress-reducing design.
That’s why we’ve joined the leading standardization bodies in Spain and Europe:
✅ UNE – CTN-219 “Personal Mobility Vehicles”
As active members, we contribute to the Spanish framework for regulating emerging urban mobility.
✅ CEN/TC 333 – WG 5 “Electric Power-Assisted Cycles”
We help define technical and safety standards for e-cycles, especially relevant to drivetrain, assistance systems, and energy management.
✅ CEN/TC 333 – WG 9 “CargoBikes”
We represent Spain in the European working group focused on establishing the foundation for what a professional CargoBike must be — from structural durability to braking and cargo safety.
These committees are responsible for the development of the new EN 17860 standard, which will set the benchmark for safety, reliability, usability, and technical performance of commercial-grade CargoBikes.
Read about EN 17860 – The new European standard for CargoBikes
The CargoBike sector needs a reset. It needs vehicles that earn trust, not just attention. That perform every day, not just in the showroom.
At Mothium, we’re building the vehicles that professionals can finally count on.
And we’re setting the standard so others can follow.
Want to learn how we validate every component? Or how EN 17860 will impact your next fleet purchase?
Let’s talk. Contact us and discover what true commercial-grade performance really looks like.
