Reported information
In an interview published by UESC, Upway described operations in nine countries through eight refurbishment centres. It reported more than 150,000 electric bicycles refurbished and sold since launch, and turnover of US$150 million in 2025. These are company figures reported in the interview, not an independently audited market-size estimate.
Upway buys bicycles, refurbishes them and resells them itself. The interview emphasises mechanics, facilities and internal technology rather than treating resale as a listing service alone. Advertised savings can reach 50% against new-bike prices, but that is a maximum claim, not a discount on every bicycle.
Industry interpretation
For importers evaluating used or returned e-bikes, the key lesson is to cost the whole refurbishment process. A low acquisition price is not enough when inspection, parts, labour, transport and warranty handling remain uncertain.
A pilot programme could record the time and expense needed to make each bike saleable, together with battery-condition evidence and charger compatibility. Those records would also help explain the difference between a professionally refurbished bicycle and an uninspected private-sale alternative.
For manufacturers, replaceable components and model-specific technical records could simplify assessment of returned stock. This is an operational opportunity, not a prediction of stronger resale values for every model.