Kiwi electric motorbike wins international award

Kiwi company UBCO has received the International Innovation Award for its two-wheel drive electric utility vehicle.

Agriculture minister Damien O’Connor presented the honour at the 50th New Zealand Agricultural Fieldays at Mystery Creek, Hamilton, June 13-16.

Judges say UBCO appears to have effectively analysed the requirements of its target markets and improved on its previous models.

The 2018 UBCO 2×2 was praised for being e-smart, eco-friendly and safer than competing farm bikes and ATVs.

“The first heavy use owner said it was like walking around his farm but quicker, so quietness has turned out to be one of the most important things this bike has brought to the farm,” UBCO chief executive officer Timothy Allan says.

“As an electric vehicle it has a lot less moving parts with the battery replacing a gas tank, and no use for an external drive train means greater durability and a longer life,” he says.

“Winning this award against major international agritech companies is a huge honour and a recognition for our team’s hard work. With Fieldays being an internationally recognised event, it provides a great endorsement for this product in the global farming community.”

Nine entries were received for the International Innovations Awards.

Tauranga-based UBCO first attended the 2014 Fieldays and formed the brand in 2015.

The 2×2 is now marketed overseas, including in the USA and Australia.