Bundeskartellamt discontinues proceeding against Bosch

The Bundeskartellamt has today discontinued the administrative proceeding against Robert Bosch GmbH for suspected abuse of a dominant position in relation to a provider of anti-lock braking systems (ABS) for e-bikes.

The proceeding was initiated following a complaint to the Italian competition authority Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM) lodged by Blubrake, an ABS provider based in Milan, Italy. Blubrake accused Bosch of having employed the following two practices: Firstly, in Blubrake’s view, Bosch made it difficult for Blubrake to use Bosch’s e-bike system to power its anti-lock braking system. And secondly, Blubrake claimed that Bosch refused to provide the technical specifications necessary to ensure proper communication between Blubrake’s ABS and Bosch’s on-board computer.

In September 2023, the Bundeskartellamt had supported the Italian authority’s investigation by providing administrative assistance and at the same time initiated its own proceeding to look into possible effects in Germany.

The Italian authority’s proceeding was concluded in August 2024 with commitments offered by Bosch to grant potential ABS providers in the European Economic Area access to its e-bike system.

Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt: “The risk of Bosch abusing its dominant position in Germany is merely abstract at this stage as there are currently no other providers of ABSs for e-bikes based in Germany. In addition, problems are unlikely to arise in Germany as Bosch has provided commitments to the Italian competition authority to grant access to its e-bike system to potential ABS providers in the European Economic Area, including Germany. In light of these developments, the Bundeskartellamt was able to discontinue its proceeding.”

The main components of an e-bike system are the drive unit, battery, charging system and on-board computer. Together, they form the e-bike’s technological platform to which all other electrical components have to be connected. In addition, a software-based link between the e-bike’s other electrical components and the display is sometimes required to provide the rider with information about each component.

Bicycle manufacturers usually do not produce their own e-bike systems, but use complete e-bike systems offered by e-bike system manufacturers. Bosch is one of the most important manufacturers of such e-bike systems.

Anti-lock braking systems have been a feature of more expensive e-bikes for several years now. These systems prevent the front wheel from locking and thus skidding when braking suddenly and hard. For power supply the ABS must be connected to the e-bike system with a cable. The ABS must also be connected to the e-bike system’s on-board computer via software to inform the rider of the system’s operating status.