•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ilika CEO Graeme Purdy said the company’s collaboration with Brompton Bicycle is designed to demonstrate real-world demand for its Goliath battery technology, originally developed for electric vehicle (EV) applications. Purdy noted that Ilika is now using its 10Ah prototypes to explore additional use cases, including e-bikes.
Purdy described the partnership as “a really exciting one,” saying the battery’s properties align with Brompton’s design and mobility goals. He said the collaboration represents a step toward showing how Goliath can meet practical requirements beyond the EV sector, leveraging the 10Ah prototypes distributed to potential partners over recent months.
Purdy highlighted two main advantages: improved energy density and an enhanced safety profile. He said battery weight is “absolutely paramount” for riders, because reducing pack weight can support longer range and make bikes easier to carry and integrate into multi-modal journeys.
He also pointed to safety considerations for transport. Purdy said an intrinsically safe battery can help reduce the risk profile when carrying e-bikes on trains or buses.
Purdy said Ilika’s focus will be on integrating its battery technology into Brompton’s designs, with milestones tied to technical progress and prototype development. He said demonstrations of working e-bikes are expected as the programme advances toward trials in 2027.
He added that the key development work involves taking Ilika’s standard 10Ah designs, building an e-bike-optimised pack to house the cells, and integrating that pack into Brompton’s product design. Milestones will include technical integration progress and the availability of prototype bikes for testing and demonstrations.
Purdy said the e-bike market is growing strongly, broadening bike travel appeal and supporting commuting. He also described the industry as international, with Brompton exporting to major markets.
He cited China as a region with stringent battery safety regulations for e-bike batteries, adding that this regulatory environment could support demand for safer battery solutions. Purdy said it is also an opportunity to support a UK manufacturer selling into one of the world’s biggest bike markets.
Premium gym chains are entering a “golden era” that is ending or already in decline, as rising operating costs collide with shifting consumer preferences toward more flexible, community-based ways to exercise. Long-term memberships are shrinking, margins are pressured by higher rents and facility expenses, and competition from smaller, more personalized…
