Omm holii: New cargo e-bike features low center of gravity and innovative chainless drive system

The holii is a new cargo e-bike from French manufacturer Omm. Departing from traditional longtail designs, it places its main cargo box between the front and rear wheels. This layout offers key advantages, most notably a significantly lower center of gravity. On longtail bikes, elevated cargo positioning inherently compromises handling stability—a major safety concern when hauling heavy loads or carrying children. The primary trade-off, however, lies in maneuverability and transportability: front-box cargo bikes are notoriously bulky, difficult to carry, and quite heavy.

Beyond its frame geometry, the holii aims to stand out with a novel powertrain. Developed in collaboration with CIXI, its chainless PERS drive converts pedaling motion directly into electrical energy via a generator, transmitting power electronically to a rear hub motor. The setup also supports regenerative braking. While performance will ultimately need to be verified in real-world testing, the drive architecture represents a notable technological departure from conventional chain and belt setups. That said—and without passing judgment at this point—the engineering effort required to eliminate a chain or belt remains substantial.

The bike is equipped with a 700 Wh battery and a motor rated at a peak output of 750 W. Given EU regulations in markets like France and Germany, its continuous rated power is likely capped at the legal 250 W limit. Stopping power is provided by hydraulic disc brakes, while integrated lights, fenders, and an 80 kg payload capacity round out the utility features. The holii is slated to launch on Kickstarter with pre-order pricing starting at €3,490, as listed on the manufacturer's website.