E-Performance: With the Bosch Cargo Line, there will be a separate drive for cargo bikes from model year 2020. Technically, the engine is based on the new CX drive, but brings even more power to the ground.
Surprise! With the new Cargo Line, Bosch also lifted the curtain on a product line at the big new products presentation for the 2020 model year that hardly anyone had expected beforehand. Although e-cargo bikes are becoming increasingly popular, they still only make up a small fraction compared to the rest of the e-bike market. Nevertheless: In times of diesel driving bans and the search for alternative, "greener" means of transport, the versatile bikes are increasingly moving into the limelight. Bosch has also recognized this trend and on the one hand wants to serve it, but on the other hand also promote it with the new motors.
Bosch will offer the new Cargo Line motor both as a regular 25km/h variant and as an S-Pedelec version, which should be of particular interest to commercial users and delivery services. Visually and technically, the new cargo bike drive has a lot in common with the new CX motor in both versions: its compact appearance and the low weight of 2,9 kg. However, there are differences in the technical data and above all in the characteristics of the drive. At 75Nm, the torque is the same as that of the CX drive, but with support of up to 400% for the Cargo Line, you even go a step further. Bosch itself speaks of a permissible total weight of 250kg for bikes with the new motor.
However, the increased support performance is not everything, the entire control system has also been optimized in detail for the special area of application. The drive provides its full support even at low cadences, for example to make it easier to start off quickly at traffic lights. Otherwise, Bosch promises that the drive adjusts to the load on the cargo bike. That makes sense, after all, large e-cargo bikes allow loads of more than 100kg, which changes the overall balance of the bike and places different demands on the motor. By constantly analyzing all installed sensors, the drive should quickly recognize how large the payload is and adjust the support accordingly. So maximum power with maximum payload, a little less when empty.
Bosch Cargo Line: First driving impressions
As part of the press camp, we were able to do a few test laps with the cargo bike that was provided, and the heart of it was the new Bosch Cargo Line. What was particularly noticeable in a direct comparison with the new CX was the less lively but all the more powerful tightening during acceleration. The comparison between a truck and a sports car comes to mind: Both have a lot of power, but it lands differently on the road depending on the area of application. The Cargo Line motor also forgives starting off in a gear that is clearly too heavy. Where the CX does not yet start in comparison, the cargo bike motor pulls well and gets the vehicle up to speed quickly.
The test period was too short for a final verdict, including whether the drive really reliably detects the load and adapts to it. Nevertheless, we can already draw a very positive interim conclusion: In this version, the Bosch Cargo Line makes sense for many bikes and their riders and should ensure a lot of movement on the already busy cargo bike market.
Bosch E-Bike News 2020: All new products at a glance:
Product news: Bosch E-Bike 2020: New CX motor, cargo drive and more
E-Performance: There is a lot of news from Bosch for the 2020 model year - from the new CX motor and its own cargo drive to better connectivity, larger batteries and decisive anti-tuning measures. We provide an overview of the Bosch E-Bike News 2020. It has now been ten years since the automotive and power tool giant […]