Virvolt
Virvolt is a Paris-based French manufacturer of open-architecture electric bike motor systems and conversion kits, selling D2C via a certified partner workshop network and B2B to European bicycle OEMs across France, Belgium, and Switzerland.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Virvolt does
Virvolt is a Paris-based French electric bicycle motorization company, legally RETRO FUTURISTE SAS, that designs and manufactures open-architecture e-bike drive systems and conversion kits for both consumers and European bicycle OEMs. Its product line spans four consumer kits (V-500 front-wheel at €599, V-750 rear-wheel at €890, V-750T thru-axle rear at €1,070, and the flagship V-900 mid-drive at €1,250), a high-power V-2000 cargo motor (90Nm, 1200W peak, regenerative braking), and the V-GENERA 900 chainless generator architecture, all featuring integrated torque/cadence/speed/temperature sensors with UART and CAN communication under EN 15194 compliance. Manufacturing is anchored at the Renault Refactory in Flins for the V-900 and at L'Usine à Vélo in Villeurbanne for the V-750, with a stated localization target of 70% French value-add for the V-2000 by 2026. The company's go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer e-commerce with mandatory professional installation through a certified network of 400+ partner workshops and 450+ trained mechanics across France, Belgium, and Switzerland, alongside a B2B OEM channel serving approximately 15 European bicycle manufacturers (Jean Fourche, Oklö, Maillon Mobility, Shwette, Huppe Bikes, and others) via the Virvolt B2B platform on Odoo. Revenue streams include hardware sales of kits, batteries, displays, chargers, and lighting; OEM motorization system sales; and the Académie Virvolt certification program for partner workshops, all underwritten by a "lifelong repairability" positioning that supplies spare parts across all product generations and supports motor refurbishment. With 20,000+ motors deployed and 10,000+ bicycles converted since founding, Virvolt is now scaling toward a 10,000-motor annual production target by 2026–2027, up from a current run-rate of approximately 6,000 units.
Virvolt firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Virvolt
- Legal name
- RETRO FUTURISTE
- Website
- https://virvolt.fr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Virvolt is a Paris-based French manufacturer of open-architecture electric bike motor systems and conversion kits, selling D2C via a certified partner workshop network and B2B to European bicycle OEMs across France, Belgium, and Switzerland.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Virvolt industry classification
Industry- Product category
- E-bike motorization systems
- NAICS
- Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing (336991)
- SIC
- Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts (3751)
- akta.pro primary industry
- E-bikes & E-cargo Bikes Manufacturing (IMACAOAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- E-Bike Retail (CRAMAHAE), Bike Parts & Components Retail (CRAMAHAB), Cycling & Micromobility Products Distribution (CRAOAJAF)
Keywords
Where Virvolt is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
Virvolt business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- E-bike Conversion Kits: Sale of motorization kits (V-500, V-750, V-750T, V-900) with batteries, displays, and accessories. One-time purchase with installation included. Price range €599-€1,250 depending on model and battery choice.
- Accessories and Spare Parts: Batteries (€290-€650), chargers, displays, lighting kits, speed sensors, cassettes, extensions, and mounting hardware sold separately
- OEM Motorization Systems: Sale of motor systems to bicycle manufacturers for integration into new e-bikes. Systems include motors, batteries, displays, wiring harnesses, and accessories
- Virvolt Academy Training: Technical training and certification program for partner workshops on installation, maintenance, and repair of Virvolt systems
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Kit Virvolt 500 - Front wheel motor for urban commuting |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Kit Virvolt 750 - Rear wheel motor for versatile use |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Kit Virvolt 750T - Thru-axle rear motor for road and gravel |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Kit Virvolt 900 - Mid-drive motor, flagship product |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Accessories - Batteries, displays, chargers, lighting |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Virvolt product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Virvolt designs, manufactures, and sells electric bicycle motorization kits and motor systems that convert traditional bicycles into e-bikes. The product range spans front-wheel (V-500), rear-wheel (V-750, V-750T, V-2000), mid-drive (V-900), and chainless generator (V-GENERA 900) architectures, sold as kits with battery, display, and charger, plus OEM motor systems supplied to bicycle manufacturers for integration into new e-bikes. All systems are manufactured in France, designed for lifelong repairability, and installed through a 400+ certified partner network.
Product overview
Virvolt is a French e-bike motorization company offering a portfolio of conversion kits and OEM motor systems. The product lineup includes four conversion kits: Kit Virvolt 500 (front wheel motor), Kit Virvolt 750 (rear wheel motor), Kit Virvolt 750T (rear wheel motor for thru-axle frames), and Kit Virvolt 900 (crank motor, flagship product manufactured at Renault's Flins facility). For professional manufacturers, Virvolt offers the V-2000 motor system for cargo bikes and the V-GENERA 900 chainless generator system. All kits include batteries in multiple capacity options, displays (Compact or Horizon), and chargers, with complete ecosystem managed through Virvolt Care maintenance program and installed exclusively through a certified network of 400+ partner workshops across Europe.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Kit Virvolt 900 Flagship mid-drive (crank/pedalier) motor kit with 80Nm torque, integrated torque/cadence/speed/temperature sensors, manufactured in France at Renault's Refactory in Flins. Includes motor, battery (choice of multiple capacities up to 720Wh/120km), display (Compact B&W or Horizon Color), charger, and mounting system. From €1,250 with installation included.
- Kit Virvolt 750 Rear wheel motor kit with torque sensor integrated in the cassette body, 40Nm torque, 470W peak power, IP65 waterproofing. Assembled in France at L'Usine à Vélo (Villeurbanne). Available in 26"-29" sizes with battery choice of 258Wh/50km or 378Wh/70km. From €890 with installation included.
- Kit Virvolt 750T Thru-axle (12x142mm) rear wheel motor kit designed for modern road and gravel bike frames. Features integrated torque sensor in cassette body for ultra-natural pedaling assistance. From €1,070 with installation included.
- Kit Virvolt 500 Entry-level front wheel motor kit ideal for urban commutes and folding bikes. 50Nm torque, 250W nominal/540W peak, lightweight at 1.8kg. Includes motor, battery (choice), display, charger, and mounting system. From €599 with installation included.
- V-2000 Motor System High-power rear wheel motor system for cargo bikes, family bikes, and professional logistics. Up to 1200W peak power, 90Nm torque, regenerative braking, clutchless architecture for durability. Supports up to 320kg load. Sold primarily to professional/OEM customers.
- V-GENERA 900 System
Quantifiable outcome
- Cost 2-3x lower than equivalent new e-bike
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Virvolt
Customer profileNamed customers19 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Virvolt technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Virvolt partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting, key and regular.
- Renault (Refactory)coreManufacturing partnership for V-900 mid-drive motor assembly at Renault Refactory in Flins, France. Renault operators work on Virvolt motor assembly line. Strategic partnership supported by ADEME industrial expertise for French manufacturing relocalization.
- ADEMEsupportingFrench Environment and Energy Management Agency providing industrial expertise and support for Virvolt's French manufacturing relocalization strategy and sustainable mobility initiatives.
- L'Usine à Vélo (Villeurbanne)coreAssembly location for V-750 rear wheel motors in Villeurbanne (69100). French assembly operations partner for wheel motors with quality-controlled industrial environment.
- Refactory (Flins)coreRenault Refactory facility in Flins where V-900 motors are manufactured. Industrial manufacturing partner enabling French-made certification.
- Jean FourchekeyBicycle manufacturer integrating Virvolt V-900 motors into their cargo and family bike models including two-seater and longtail configurations.
- OklökeyBicycle manufacturer (Oklo.bike) producing urban utility bikes and Simplix models equipped with Virvolt motorization systems.
- Maillon MobilitykeyMobility company producing intermediate vehicles and cargo bikes using Virvolt V-2000 motors for professional logistics applications.
- ShwettekeyCargo bicycle manufacturer using Virvolt V-2000 motors for heavy-duty professional cargo bikes.
- HybooregularUtility e-bike manufacturer with products featuring Virvolt motorization.
- TreebikeregularCargo and utility bicycle manufacturer featuring Virvolt motors.
- Huppe BikesregularExtended cargo bicycle manufacturer using Virvolt V-2000 motors.
- Gambade CyclesregularFamily cargo bicycle manufacturer with Virvolt-equipped models.
- SupercycleregularBicycle manufacturer with Virvolt motorization integration.
- BotchregularCargo bicycle manufacturer featuring Virvolt motors.
- Vagabonde CyclesregularCargo and touring bicycle manufacturer with Virvolt motor systems.
- CompagnonregularElectric utility bicycle manufacturer with Virvolt motors.
- CaminaderegularBicycle manufacturer with Virvolt motorization integration.
- Cycle du MidiregularBicycle manufacturer featuring Virvolt motors.
- TeebikeregularCargo bicycle manufacturer with Virvolt motor integration.
- 400+ Partner Workshops NetworkcoreNetwork of certified bicycle shops and mobile workshops across France, Belgium, and Switzerland performing Virvolt kit installations, after-sales service, and maintenance. Certified through Virvolt Academy training program.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Virvolt competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bafang: Chinese manufacturer of e-bike motors (hub and mid-drive) and complete drive systems widely used by European bike brands and conversion-kit resellers. Directly competes with Virvolt on motorization technology, with significantly broader scale and lower price points.
- Pendix: German maker of the eDrive mid-drive e-bike conversion kit, very closely comparable to Virvolt's V-900: a removable bottom-bracket motor with battery, sold direct-to-consumer and via workshops. Similar premium positioning and retrofit concept.
- Swytch: UK-based e-bike conversion kit company offering a front-hub motor pack that converts any bike to electric. Direct competitor to Virvolt in the consumer retrofit channel with a similar DTC-plus-installer hybrid model.
- Cytronex: UK maker of lightweight e-bike conversion kits (bottle-battery system). Comparable to Virvolt 500/750 in being a small, premium retrofit specialist serving consumers who want to electrify an existing bike.
Emerging players
- Skarper: UK startup with a clip-on e-bike drive that attaches to the rear brake mount. Targets the same conversion market as Virvolt with a differentiated, tool-free installation approach.
- TQ Technology: German manufacturer of lightweight mid-drive e-bike motors (TQ-HPR50) used by premium European bike brands. Comparable positioning to Virvolt V-900 as a European-rooted, premium-quality OEM motor specialist.
Broad incumbents
- Bosch eBike Systems: Largest incumbent supplier of complete e-bike drive systems to premium European bike brands (Trek, Riese & Müller, Canyon). Competes with Virvolt on the OEM side and sets the benchmark for integrated, closed motorization systems.
- Shimano STEPS: Shimano's e-bike drive system line widely used by European bike OEMs. Comparable as a major incumbent OEM motor supplier that Virvolt competes against for new-bike integration contracts.
- Yamaha PWseries: Yamaha's e-bike drive systems (PW, PWseries CE) are integrated into many European bike brands. Serves as a broad incumbent reference point for mid-drive OEM motor competition.
- Mahle Ebikemotion: Spanish/German lightweight rear-hub e-bike drive system used by premium road and gravel bike brands (Orbea, Pinarello). Comparable rear-hub motor technology and European OEM positioning to Virvolt.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Virvolt social profiles
Digital presenceVirvolt compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Virvolt financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Virvolt leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Virvolt funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Virvolt M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Virvolt
What does Virvolt do?
Virvolt designs, manufactures, and sells electric bicycle motorization kits and motor systems that convert traditional bicycles into e-bikes. The product range spans front-wheel (V-500), rear-wheel (V-750, V-750T, V-2000), mid-drive (V-900), and chainless generator (V-GENERA 900) architectures, sold as kits with battery, display, and charger, plus OEM motor systems supplied to bicycle manufacturers for integration into new e-bikes. All systems are manufactured in France, designed for lifelong repairability, and installed through a 400+ certified partner network.
Is Virvolt a public or private company?
Virvolt is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Virvolt founded?
Virvolt was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Virvolt based?
Virvolt is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does Virvolt make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. E-bike Conversion Kits are the primary driver. The others are accessories and Spare Parts, OEM Motorization Systems and virvolt Academy Training.
Who are Virvolt's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bafang, Pendix, Swytch and Cytronex. Emerging players are Skarper and TQ Technology. Broad incumbents are Bosch eBike Systems, Shimano STEPS, Yamaha PWseries and Mahle Ebikemotion.
Does Virvolt have an API?
No public API is recorded for Virvolt.
What industry is Virvolt in?
Virvolt's product category is E-bike motorization systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACAOAA, E-bikes & E-cargo Bikes Manufacturing, with a secondary code of CRAMAHAE, E-Bike Retail. Its NAICS code is 336991 and its SIC code is 3751.