Trump’s Tariff Shockwave: E-Bike Prices Surge – How Haoqi Is Responding

Introduction

With the Trump administration’s April 2025 announcement of a retaliatory 125% tariff on e-bikes imported from China, the U.S. micromobility industry has been rocked by an unprecedented policy shock.

This tariff affects not only complete e-bikes but also key components like batteries, motors, and controllers—pushing total import-related costs to over 190% in some cases.

 

01 | Tariff Breakdown: The Numbers Behind the Price Hike

Tariff Type	Rate
General Rate	11%
Section 301 Tariff	25%
Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF)	0.125%
Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF)	0.346%
Executive Order Tariff	20%
Retaliatory Tariff (April 2025)	125%
Total Potential Burden	190%+

This means that an e-bike with an original import cost of $1,000 could now land at more than double that price.

If brands don’t adjust their pricing, they’re effectively selling at a loss.

 

02 | Urgent Industry Response: Price Hikes & Supply Chain Shifts

Doubling Costs Spark Chain Reaction

As of April 11, several major e-bike brands began announcing price hikes:

• Himiway, Mokwheel, and Velotric issued statements that select models will increase by $150–$250 starting April 11.
• Lectric Ebikes announced plans to accelerate production at their Indonesian facility.
• Aventon hasn’t raised prices yet, but emphasized its global supply chain as key to shock resistance.

Supply Chain Migration: Asia Isn’t a Cure-All

Many brands had already tried moving production to countries like Vietnam and Thailand to avoid the fallout of the U.S.-China trade war, but the challenges haven’t gone away.

In early April, Vietnamese e-bikes were slapped with a new "Freedom Day Tariff"—and in some cases, the rate was even higher than China’s. Before China announced its countermeasures, Trump had imposed a 56% retaliatory tariff on Vietnam, compared to 34% on China. Ironically, Vietnam’s rate was higher than China’s at that point.

Then, after China hit back, Trump raised the retaliatory tariff on Chinese e-bikes to 125%. When combined with existing duties, the total tariff burden on Chinese e-bikes soared to nearly 190%.

Meanwhile, other countries that haven’t retaliated will only face a 10% tariff for the next three months—but that doesn’t mean they’re safe. Most of these countries still rely heavily on Chinese parts, and no one knows when the next wave of Trump tariffs might strike. On top of that, logistics bottlenecks and limited factory capacity have stretched delivery times to 8–12 weeks.

Development Delays & Business Model Disruption

• E-bike development cycles span 12–18 months—sudden tariff changes forced brands to fulfill contracts at a loss.
• Profit models collapsed across the board, prompting emergency financing and workforce reductions.

 

 03 | Consumer Reaction: From Panic-Buying to Waiting Game

Early Surge in Demand

• Hot models from Rad Power Bikes, Heybike, and Ride1UP sold out in early April.
• Reddit threads trended with titles like “Got my last pre-tariff deal!”

Delaying May Backfire

• Some consumers are waiting for a rollback, but past cycles suggest higher prices often become the “new normal.”
• The first wave of 2018 tariffs has yet to see a meaningful reversal.

Alternatives? Still China-Linked

Even e-bikes “assembled in Europe” often rely on Chinese batteries and motors.  German brand Riese & Müller still sources key components from Shenzhen and Tianjin.

 

04 | Domestic Production Isn’t a Short-Term Solution

While brands like Electric Bicycle Company and Detroit Bikes try U.S.-based assembly, key issues remain:

• Less than 5% of e-bike batteries are made in the U.S.
• Motor controllers are almost 100% imported.
• U.S. labor costs are 3–5x higher than in China.

As a result, even “Made in USA” e-bikes remain expensive and can’t scale fast enough to fill supply gaps.

05 | HAOQI's Strategy: Limited-Time Price Lock + 

Moderate Price Increase

Amid this industry-wide wave of price hikes, HAOQI has taken a more measured yet pragmatic approach:

🧡 Limited-Time Price Lock: Last 300 Units Before Tariffs Hit 190%
We’re down to the final 300 units before new tariffs kick in. Don't wait!👉https://haoqiebike.ca

What’s Coming:

• Phased Price Increases: All models will go up by $50–$150 starting in May.
• Component Price Hikes: Expect slight increases on batteries, motors, and controllers.

This is the last real chance to lock in current pricing.
Secure your e-bike now before prices jump. Waiting could mean paying more—or missing out altogether.