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Stuttgart-based Mahle has been awarded an iF Design Award 2025 for the business’s XS System e-bike system.
In sharing the news, the business points out that “the award highlights our commitment to design excellence and sustainability in the field of urban mobility”.
iF Design Award
The iF Design Award is seen as one of the most recognised global design awards. In its 2025 edition, it received 10,651 entries from 5,000 participants, covering 82 categories and representing 66 countries. A jury of 131 experts evaluated the entries, highlighting in particular the sustainability impact and innovation of the Mahle XS System.
XS System overview
The XS System, which launched at the end of October 2024, offers a unique solution which makes it possible to eliminate the need for a large internal battery, utilising the eX1 external Range Extender battery as the system’s exclusive energy source.
The brand points out that XS System offers a “minimalist configuration (which) reduces environmental impact by simplifying the system and optimizing material consumption”.
The eX1 battery, which already serves as a Range Extender for any existing Mahle X20 or X30 system, offers over 170Wh of capacity and “enables the XS system to simplify e-bike integration – eliminating the need for a large internal battery.”
Utilizing the compact eX1 external battery as the energy source, the system weighs in at 2.5 kg when using the X20, whilst generating as much torque as a 55 Nm mid-drive.
The XS System is fully compatible with the Mahle ecosystem and is already available on the market, offering bicycle manufacturers opportunities to explore new design options, without sacrificing power.
Commenting on the capacity, Marco de la Serna, head of product, strategy, and business development at Mahle SmartBike Systems, notes: “In our research, we found that even less than 100Wh are sufficient for most daily activities —urban commuting, short rides—so we focused on optimizing for what riders need. The result is XS: a light, efficient system that perfectly suits everyday use.”
Collecting awards
The iF Design Award 2025 adds to previous recognitions, such as the Design & Innovation Award 2025. Here the business points out that multiple award wins “reaffirm our position as a leader in innovation within the e-bike industry: At Mahle, we remain dedicated to delivering cutting-edge technological solutions that redefine the urban cycling experience”.
