FIVE

Overview

FIVE (Fabbrica Italiana Veicoli Elettrici) is an Italian manufacturer of electric bicycles, e-scooters, electric kickscooters, and mini electric vehicles. Founded in 2013, the company operates Italy's largest dedicated e-bike production facility and has positioned itself as a benchmark for sustainable electric mobility in Europe. FIVE distinguishes itself through its commitment to manufacturing in Italy rather than outsourcing to Asia, combining industrial production with environmental sustainability principles.

History

FIVE was created in 2013 by the owner of TERMAL Group with the goal of relocating electric bicycle and moped production from China to Italy. The company began production of the Solingo moped and launched the Made 2.0 line under the WAYEL brand in 2014 while constructing its flagship factory. In 2016, FIVE acquired ITALWIN, a historic Italian pedal-assist bike brand established in 2003, and launched LOCKBIKE cycling stations for automated bike parking and bike-sharing systems. The company later acquired Armony, another established Italian e-bike manufacturer, to consolidate one of Italy's largest e-bike production centers with capacity for 25,000 units annually.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

FIVE operates a 7,100 square meter facility in Bologna, Italy, designed as a Zero Energy Building (ZEB) combining energy efficiency with industrial production. The factory includes manufacturing units, laboratories, offices, and warehouses with in-house battery production using semi-automatic product lines for e-bikes and OEM solutions. Production capacity reaches approximately 25,000 e-bikes annually, with components sourced from Italian suppliers where possible to maintain made-in-Italy quality standards.

Notable Products

• Solingo Moped - Electric moped launched in 2014, marking FIVE's entry into motorized electric vehicles
• WAYEL Made 2.0 Line - First generation of FIVE-designed and built electric bikes produced in Italy
• LOCKBIKE Cycling Stations - Automated bike parking and hybrid bike-sharing system launched in 2016
• Armony E-Bikes Collection - Range including Sport-MTB, Trekking, City-Urban, Action-Fat, and Easy-Folding models
• In-House Battery Systems - Semi-automatic battery production line for e-bikes and OEM solutions

Reputation

FIVE is recognized as a credible player in European electric mobility, particularly valued for its commitment to Italian manufacturing and sustainability principles. The brand benefits from the heritage of acquired companies like ITALWIN and Armony, which bring established reputations for quality and technology. However, as a relatively young manufacturer compared to established European competitors, FIVE remains less widely known outside Italy and Europe. The company's focus on local production and environmental responsibility appeals to sustainability-conscious consumers, though premium pricing reflects these commitments.