Grants or help with Energy Efficient Bike?

Question

My boyfriend is an engineer and he's currently doing a side project making a battery charged bicycle (with motor). He's in the very early stages, he spends all of his extra time designing and planning this endeavor. I was wondering if anyone might know where he could get a grant, business plan or some support for this?

The plan is simple: A regular bycicle, a motor, using no fuel, faster then a regular bike, more affordable to purchase and takes up less space then a scooter, more people will be able to afford a motorized bike as opposed to a scooter . More importantly, NO FUEL CONSUMPTION. And I want one!

We're just not sure who to ask for help on this topic. He has the brains and will put together this product by himself, but having a grant or a company on his side would definitely help him speed up the process.

Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thank you!!!!

Answer 1

There are already a lot of 'ebikes' on the market now. I own a Currie 24v mountain bike I bought online fron Walmart.

Walmart sells their complete ebikes for less than everyone sells just the conversion kit.

The 'how to make one' is already known. Beating Walmart's price may not be possible.

Answer 2

I realize this isn't what you asked for, but I would suggest doing a patent search on this first.  I would hate to see him invest a lot of effort in this only to find out someone already beat him to it.  If they did, you will be hard pressed to find financial backing.

You can do patent searches for free at uspto.gov.