Last weekend THE PACK visited Electrified 2021 at AHOY in Rotterdam. Electrified is a new division from 100% Auto Live, one of the largest and most successful events for car enthusiasts in The Netherlands.

We had a talk with Gert-Jan Rongen (owner Electric Motorbikes / E-center) and booth neighbours Niels Willems & Jasper Hagedoorn from BREKR. After all, this was a “petrolhead” fair, wasn’t it, gentlemen?

Gert-Jan: “It’s sure is, we heard a lot of roaring sounds this weekend but a lot of people were sincerely interested in our latest electric technology. Most of them realise that we are moving into a new era with a new more sustainable mobility. It’s still a fact that a lot of people don’t know that electric motorbikes and mopeds are already on the market.”

Niels: “It’s about information and creating awareness. The public can get acquainted with various models and brands, for different applications. We consider this as an important step to discover this new mobility and its possibilities.”

Jasper: “And it has been proven, we have completed hundreds of test drives in the past 3 days. People have to experience it theirselves, we don’t create sales stories … People asked questions, were interested and had some fun, with riding our BREKR’s!”

THE PACK: “It really was a surprise to see so many people interested on a “petrolhead”-fair. Some of them were looking for specific home-work solutions. Others were looking for a replacement for their old motorcycle. There is an awareness among people that cities are going to impose more sustainable standards. Covid-19 was also a trigger to change personal mobility … It is no secret that thanks to the rise of the many new electric cars, there is now also an interest in electric motorcycles and scooters. People have to see it for themselves in the streets and should have the possibility to test them.”

Electric Superbike Twente at Electric Motorbikes booth

Electric Superbike Twente is a student racing team designing and building a fully electric motorcycle from scratch. Every year a new team of students with fresh ideas takes over, eager to continue the mission of showcasing the excitement and fun of sustainable mobility! To preserve the world of racing for future generations the team has set the goal to achieve MotoGP lap times with a fully electric superbike.

About Electric Motorbikes

Electric Motorbikes is one of the most important official Zero Motorcycles dealers in The Netherlands and is also the importer of new and young motorcycle brands to the Benelux such as Alrendo Motorcycles, RGNT Motorcycles, Pursang Motorcycles and BLITZ Motors (an electric scooter for the professional fleet market for last-mile solutions, food- and parcel delivery). In addition, Gert-Jan is also representative of Sur-Ron off-road motorcycles and NIU scooters in collaboration with the NIU Flagshipstore from Antwerp. The E-center / Electric Motorbikes showroom is located on the Automotive Campus in Helmond (the Netherlands).

About BREKR

After a year of preparation, this team officially started developing BREKR in 2018. The company is now growing and are working with many specialists, experts, enthusiasts and suppliers to perfect BREKR. They share a passion for electric driving, technology and design.

BREKR develops its products from the Achterhoek in the Netherlands. A beautiful area with a rich history of manufacturing, motocross, music and a good party from time to time (as often as possible). “Brekken” means maximum fun in the Achterhoek. Spicy detail: BREKR is located in the former prison ‘De Kruisberg’ in Doetinchem. You can only visit BREKR during special events.

ChargeMakers

One of the friendly neighbours from Electric Motorbikes and BREKR was Caspar Schoenmakers from ChargeMakers (thx for the morning coffee, much appreciated Caspar!). ChargeMakers charges everywhere with its temporary charging points. The idea that charging should be possible everywhere, even where there are no or insufficient charging stations, was the inspiration in 2019 to develop the fist Mobile charging plaza in-house and start with the rental. In 2020, Mobile Charging Points (2 chargers on a pole instead of 6 in a trailer) have also been added to their rental fleet and you can now also contact this team for the purchase and installation of fixed charging points – at home or at the office. More info: ChargeMakers