E-bikes and e-trikes: dealership, batteries and service
A distributor offers an exclusive dealership at 20% off SRP, with signage, tent and photo wall included. That's about 19% gross margin (₱6k–₱15k per unit). Test it in 1–2 branches and add battery and repair service on top.
Estimates at steady state. Payback = start-up cost ÷ monthly net profit.
Potential
Per branch: 8 units/month × ~₱9.5k ≈ ₱76k gross profit, minus ~₱20k staff, charging and ads. Service and batteries add more.
Margin
~19% gross on dealer units after ₱500 shipping; 35–50% on parts and batteries
How technical: Medium
Battery packs with BMS, charger matching, basic e-bike repair. Lithium ships as dangerous goods.
How to tackle it
- This weekAsk the distributor for written terms: exclusive towns and duration, monthly quota and penalty, consignment vs outright buy, warranty (who pays parts and labor, battery months), parts lead time, financing partner, price protection, return of unsold units, LTO papers.
- Week 2–3Sign for 1–2 branches only. Take 8–10 display units across 4 best sellers (one e-trike, Stareer 3 dual, Magical 3 Pro, Zyper 1). Set up the free signage, tent and photo wall.
- Month 1–3Use a financing partner (Home Credit, BillEase or a bank) instead of carrying installments yourself. Track units sold, days in stock and warranty claims.
- Month 4+If you sell 8+ units a month, add branches and open battery and repair service; then compare against importing your own models at zero tariff.
Why now
- EV registrations (with hybrids) rose 130% year on year to over 67,000 in Jan–Aug 2026.
- Zero tariff on e-motorcycles and e-bicycles runs to the end of the current administration's term; nickel-metal-hydride batteries are also at zero.
- Every e-bike and e-trike sold creates years of battery and parts demand.
What to bring in
Replacement lead-acid to LiFePO4 conversion packs 48–72 V
HS 8507.60 · Low (verify)
Chargers, controllers, hub motors, brake sets, tires
HS 8504.40 / 8714 · Mixed
Local market: Pangasinan
Who you compete with
- E-bike dealers along the main roads in Dagupan, Calasiao and Urdaneta
- Motorcycle parts shops adding e-bike parts
- Online battery sellers (no local warranty)
Price benchmarks
- Velora / Agila e-trike, SRP₱69,800
- Stareer 5 dual lithium, SRP₱79,800
- Stareer 3 single / dual, SRP₱49,800 / ₱59,800
- Leader e-trike, SRP₱49,800
- Stareer Motor, SRP₱45,800
- Magical 3 Pro single / dual, SRP₱39,800 / ₱49,800
- Zyper 1, SRP₱32,800
- Ledo 3 promo (cash only)₱19,800
- Installment price, 12 months~30% above SRP
Where to price
Sell at the distributor's SRP (from their Oct 2026 brochure). Compete on after-sales: battery warranty, parts in stock and repairs at the branch.
Check live on Maps and Facebook
Tap to search near each branch. Write down 3 competitors and their prices per town.
Who buys
- E-trike owners and TODA groups
- Delivery riders
- E-bike shops without their own import line
Fit with Boyztoys
Battery and electrical parts sit naturally beside the solar line, and your branches already handle repair-type walk-ins.
Permits and rules
- LTO restricts e-bikes and e-trikes on national roads (enforced in Metro Manila; info campaigns elsewhere). Tell buyers which roads they can use
- Ask the distributor which models need LTO registration and a license, and for the documents each sale needs
- Lithium batteries ship as DG cargo (UN3480) if you import packs
Risks
- Fitment chaos: start with the 5 most common models in your towns
- Battery fires: only sell packs with BMS and a written warranty