The new bike rack is a real breakthrough. Auxtail’s Founder and a former designer at Nissan, Craig Broadbent, explained: “Electric cars are range sensitive and wind resistance consumes roughly half of their battery’s energy. Carrying loads on the roof seriously limits their range so it makes sense to carry bikes at the rear. The thing is, electric cars don’t have exhaust systems, so there is some newly available space that can be exploited.”

The integrated bike rack, which has taken over eight years to develop, has undergone numerous design iterations before reaching its final form. A patent has been secured for the unique folding mechanism, which allows the rack to carry two bikes within a compact space. Crucially, it has been designed to support the weight of heavier electric bikes, complete with their batteries and motors.

Using the rack is straightforward: simply release a latch and pull a handle to deploy it. The rack then locks into place automatically, with pivoting arms securing both bikes. To retract it, disengage the safety latches and fold it back into its storage position, where it safely locks itself.

While the rack is designed for two bikes, additional extension pieces can increase its capacity to carry four. Auxtail is also working on a range of accessories, including a cargo box, to further enhance the rack’s versatility.

“It’s a great piece of kit and, for those who have an EV and want to continue to use electric-powered transport once they park up, it’s the perfect solution,” added Broadbent. “We are looking forward to bringing this to market and providing a great solution for people where the current bike racks are not quite up to the job.”

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