Parasol Island – Integrated Digital Studio

A Berlin startup is pushing the boundaries of the bicycle to conquer delivery mobility.

Is ONO’s Pedal Assisted Transporter (PAT) Pioneers Edition a bicycle? Legally, says the company, yes. That means no driving licence required, no emissions, just pure sustainable delivery. Two pedal-assisted electric motors run up to 60 km on two easily swapped batteries, and can carry a 2.1 m3 load weighing 200 kg.

With a cab providing protection against the elements, combined with lightweight components for agility, the cargo bike is tailored to the ergonomics of modern city life. Deliverers can opt for a monthly fixed price subscription with all-round support for 690 euros per month all inclusive, amid a number of tailor-made plans and options.

The Berlin-based firm was founded by Beres Seelbach, Murat Günak and Philipp Kahle, who have worked in e-mobility for over 30 years combined. Günak was previously chief designer at Volkswagen. “I’ve long been interested in breaking free from the form factors that are predominant in personal transport,” he says. “We have come up with a one-of-a-kind vehicle that is very much in line with modern urban life and sustainable attitudes.”

In autumn 2020 EIT InnoEnergy announced a 3 million euro investment in ONO over the next two years, with initial roll-out in several cities including Berlin and Munich, and a Europe-wide launch in 2022. Initially ONO will focus on the rapidly expanding CEP (courier, express and parcel) market, with delivery behemoth Hermes already signed up.

The global CEP market was already predicted to rise to 400 billion dollars by 2024 by Mordor Intelligence – and that was before the pandemic boosted the trend.