This Lightweight E-Bike Can Be Charged In Mere Minutes
Morelle wants to make the e-bike experience even more convenient.
The California startup is currently working on what it claims is the world’s fastest charging, battery-powered bicycle. Whereas most electric two-wheelers take hours to fully recharge, Morelle says the battery on its debut model can be topped up in just 15 minutes.
Morelle’s currently eponymous e-bike, which is being developed by a team that includes legendary mountain biker Gary Fisher, gets its juice from a 350-Wh down-tube-integrated battery. What’s special about the pack is its chemistry, including a silicon anode which has 10 times the energy capacity of graphite, according to New Atlas. Up until now, companies have tended to avoid using silicon in their batteries because it can expand and contract during operation, hastening degradation, but that’s no longer a concern thanks to new engineering advances.
Morelle’s fast-charging e-bike
Morelle
Because of this, Morelle says its battery cells will perform at a high level for up to 1,000 charging cycles. Since most e-bike batteries charge at a rate between 100 and 300 watts, it takes between three to six hours to reach full capacity. Morelle’s battery can charge at 1,000 to 1,200 watts, allowing it to reach full capacity in a quarter of an hour. The company is also looking into building out a fast-charging network for its two-wheeler by adding micromobility hardware to existing EV charging locations.
Morelle isn’t just focused on reducing charging times, though. It’s also hoping to appeal to riders with a lightweight build. Although we’ll have to wait for a full spec sheet, the company says it’s targeting a weight of around 30 pounds while still offering pedal-assisted speeds of up to 28 mph. That would make the bike much more attractive to riders who lug it up and down stairs on a daily basis. It’s also hard to tell it is even an e-bike since its electric hardware is hidden away in its downtube. The bike has a sleek, city-style design that lacks the aggressive bulk of so many of its peers.
Morelle plans to start selling its bike during the first quarter of 2026 at a starting price of $3,000. If you’re worried about stock running out quickly, you can reserve one now through the company’s website for $50 or $100 if you want one of the very first units.
