With Martin Kyburz through history

Find out in this article how Martin gained his first vehicle experience.

01.03.2021, MK

Raphaël Diener turns old postal vehicles into armchairs, lamps, or even a children's carousel. In this way, he saves valuable materials from the shredder.
Raphaël Diener explains, "What was important to me was not only the aesthetics but that all things also have a use." Likewise, he made sure to use as little additional material as possible that did not come from the cannibalized vehicles.

01.03.2021, JAG

An article about the Last2nd products was recently published in the Zürcher Unterländer.

You can read the whole article here:

Funding is available for vehicles in L2e, L5e, L6e, and L7e (light vehicles) for operational use. Funding (€20 million) is currently available until the end of March 2021.

This means that KYBURZ vehicles are also eligible, for example, DXP, DXS, and DXCargo provided they are used in companies or municipalities.

A justified application must be submitted individually in each case. The subsidy amount is up to 40% for companies, for municipalities under certain circumstances, even up to 90%.

Important to know:

The subsidy guidelines apply to the end customer. Dealers can use this as a good selling point. Who is eligible to apply for these funds and how it works is described in more detail on the ptj homepage and the funding guidelines.

24.02.2021, WH

Good information is available via the link of the ptj - Projektträger Jülich, Forschungzentrum Jülich or in the PDF Förderrichtlinien Elektromobiltät:

The document is in German.

Since last week the shipping company Züri-Rhy offers jobs on their ship "Hecht" at the Tössegg. In total, it has room for 8 people. Groups, as well as individuals, can book the offer. Madeleine Frigerio, a member of the management at SZR, has many creative, extendable offers: be it a 1-hour trip on the ship, a ride on a Stand-Up Paddle during the break, or organizing a fine lunch from the restaurant Wyberg in Teufen.

Sabine Lickert, Daniel Honegger, and Jasmin Giger took advantage of Hecht's creative atmosphere and brainstormed for the creation of new printed materials. Tele Top was on-site, and a report about it appeared in the Top News of February 24, 2021.

25.02.2021, JAG

You can watch the report here:

In 2010, KYBURZ wanted to change its vehicles' rear lights from conventional incandescent lamps to long-lasting and energy-saving LED technology. A round product with the right dimensions and the required functions was not on the market. KYBURZ took matters into its own hands and designed a new lamp with a designer and 3D-printed parts.

An agreement was reached with a major lamp manufacturer in Taiwan to share the cost of mold making and approval. Today, the manufacturer "Jute" sells the "KYBURZ tail light" under the name "TL006-T" on the open market. If you look closely, you will discover that various other vehicles, ranging from agricultural machinery to buses, as well as competitors vehicles, are equipped with this taillight.

25.02.2021, DH

Martin Kyburz talks about the history of the tail light in a TECH TALK on YouTube.

Josef Rau from Bülach is the first driver of a PLUS II. The successful entrepreneur from Bülach is enthusiastic about the innovations: "The wide tires soften the impacts well." He particularly praises the improved driving characteristics and stability. As a previous PLUS driver, he can make good comparisons.

His company, Rau AG, is strong in metalworking and is now run by his son. Together with Oskar Diener (also a former PLUS driver), Josef Rau founded his first company in 1955, when only a few KYBURZ employees were born. How was work done on lathes back then? Look at the pictures on the Rau AG homepage (scroll down a bit) - men with ties, the lady with the necklace!

26.02.2021, DH

Good to know:
Exactly 999 of the "old" PLUS were built. The first PLUS II carries the chassis number 1000.

Here you can learn more about the PLUS II:

Did you know who is behind our webshop? Matthias Röthlin, Monika Haldner, and Tonino Aliprandi take every order and ship it worldwide. The well-coordinated webshop team supplies service partners, major and private customers at home and abroad with spare parts.

23.02.2021, FAS

Would you like to know more?

Do you have any questions? Matthias Röthlin will be happy to answer them.

KYBURZ is currently developing a new 3-wheeled vehicle called KyBee with the involvement of formscope. To determine the seat, steering wheel, and foot pedal position for this, test persons of different body sizes were needed.
From the KYBURZ company, Monika Haldner as a small, female person and Luca Zimmermann as a tall, male person, stepped in as test subjects. For the measurements, formscope set up a so-called "seat box" in which various settings could be tested.

With the knowledge gained, important parameters in the cabin area could be determined.
These findings are being incorporated into the actual prototype, which is currently in the design phase. While Luca Zimmermann defines the technical details, formscope will solve all details in and around the cabin. For example, KyBee will be equipped with doors that can be opened 180°, a retractable roof that guarantees fresh air, and an air conditioning system.

We will continue to report on how the KyBee project develops.

25.02.2021, JAG

Do you have questions about the KyBee? Luca Zimmermann will be happy to answer them.

Two of our employees are moving abroad. Giuseppe was largely responsible for building Fleet's new backend. He brought a lot of his US experience to the team and set up an efficient organization for the development processes. His private plans pull him away from us to Denmark: In his wife's home country, he was able to buy a nice piece of land to realize his dream of providing for himself and his family.

Stefan is drawn even further away: In August, he and his wife will emigrate to Peru. He was a project manager in the development department.

KYBURZ thanks both of them for their commitment and wishes "all the best" in their new home.

25.02.2021, DH

Walking is very much in vogue and is the easiest, cheapest, and most flexible form of exercise imaginable.

It is suitable for everyone. You don't need any special equipment, and you don't have to stick to any particular schedule. If you want, you can start anytime - early in the morning or late at night. Just put on your shoes and go.

Did you know that regular walking (five times a week for 30 minutes) positively affects the immune system?

It strengthens muscles, relieves stress & fatigue, boosts metabolism, oxygenates the skin, reduces depression, and stimulates the release of happy hormones.

Here is an interesting report which highlights different aspects of the walk.

23.02.2021, SL

Service partner of KYBURZ

The company 2-Rad Fachhandel Benker exists since 1978 in Landquart canton Grisons. They have been a KYBURZ service partner since 2011 and successfully look after the vehicle fleet of the Swiss Post. In the following, our Fabian Schweri interviews the business owner Jörg Benker:

Fabian Schweri: How would you describe the Benker company in 3 sentences?

Jörg Benker: We are a forward-looking and progressive 2-wheeler business that is constantly learning to keep up with new technologies.

Fabian: What distinguishes your company? What is special about you?

Jörg: We've been around since 1978, so we're able to repair vehicles where you can't read the fault memory. The experience with such vehicles is lost. We are proud to be able to service and repair even purely mechanical vehicles.

Fabian: How long have you been KYBURZ service partners?

Jörg: We have been with KYBURZ since the beginning and have previously repaired postal vehicles for the Swiss Post.

Fabian: What are your tasks as a service partner?

Jörg: We are responsible for service, repairs, and the delivery of new vehicles to Swiss Post. The postmen are on the road every day, and their vehicles must be well maintained. They have to be able to rely on that.

Fabian: How do you organize these tasks?

Jörg: Since we can only go to the post offices in the afternoon, we take a spare vehicle with us so that the postman has a vehicle. The time is too short to do a bigger service there because the post offices are no longer manned. We replace tires etc., on the spot and also do minor repairs directly. The farthest post office is 80 km from the company headquarters.

Fabian: How many vehicles and which area are you responsible for?

Jörg: We have about 280 vehicles. We serve the canton of Graubünden without Engadin up to Walenstadt and the Rhine valley up to Schaanwald and, in addition, the post office of the Principality of Lichtenstein. In terms of kilometers, this is a large area. The village of Quinten is special in our area; this post office can only be reached by boat.

Fabian: What do you do when you are not repairing DXPs?

Jörg: Then we have enough work with sales and repairs of bicycles and scooters. We have a big sales store.

26.02.2021, FSC

We have had a good experience with the reliable "Wellco KY06" type gearboxes over many years. However, they are now being used more frequently in heavier vehicles (DXCargo, DXP Australia Post). With fully loaded vehicles, they are subjected to a torque of up to 40 Nm. The strength is now being tested in an endurance test.

The research team has built a test rig on behalf of the development department, set up in the hangar of our service department. An electric motor of the ABM type, as installed in the DXC, is responsible for the drive. Two Rüetschi motors in the role of the wheels provide half the counter-rotating torque. The tests run as an "accelerated test" with a maximum torque of 54 Nm.

Watch the test live via a web GUI. If no data can be seen, the test stand is at a standstill. Possibly the batteries are then charging, or there was a shutdown triggered by one of the sensors.

22.02.2021 ERW

Here you can watch the gearbox test live:

Do you have any questions about the transmission test bench? Erik Wilhelm will be happy to answer them.

Erza Mehmeti: How long have you been with KYBURZ?

Stefan Niederberger: I have been with KYBURZ for over 5 years.

Erza: What are your activities?

Stefan: At the beginning of my time at KYBURZ, I worked as a metal worker in the service department. Then I came to development as a project manager for Australia.

Erza: What is your typical daily routine?

Stefan: Since I only work 80%, I'm always there on Tuesday and start work around 07:00. I always check my emails and see if there is an emergency that I need to respond to immediately. Then I continue the project and check the material that comes in. I also have to see that the orders that have been made arrive. As a project manager, you have to ensure that the deadlines are met because we are usually under time pressure. An order can arrive, but then it is wrong and has to be returned. I'm usually in the office until 5:00 pm.

Erza: What do you like? What not so much?

Stefan: I like the development team. I really liked it when all the departments were still in Freienstein. What I like less is that the whole team has been spread over three locations. 

Erza: What do you like to do in your free time?

Stefan: In my free time, I like to travel to different countries with my wife.

Erza: Today (23.02.21) is your last working day with us. Where are you going next?

Stefan: Yes, that's right. I will be in Switzerland until August.

Erza: What motivates you to emigrate again and again?

Stefan: I find the Swiss a little stiff. I like other countries very much, and that's why I like to travel to them. It's also very relaxed there.  

Erza: What are your next plans?

Stefan: In August, I would like to go to Peru with my wife and see if we can get a residence permit. We want to settle in Peru first.

25.02.2021, ERM

Floor elevation KYBURZ DXP

Do you already know our practical floor elevation? It allows smaller people a safe and comfortable seat. The elevation can be easily mounted on the side of the chassis with Velcro and raises the floor by 9 cm. The floor elevation is applicable for the KYBURZ DXP & DXS from version 3.2. Have we aroused your interest? Then take a look at our webshop and get the raise for the price of CHF 320.- incl. VAT.

24.02.2021, MAR

Do you have questions about the floor elevation? Then contact Matthias directly.

We are in the process of registering our KYBURZ DXP in Thailand. Last September, with the Swiss ambassador's support, the vehicle was presented to the Thai authorities. This government meeting paved the way to enter into a dialogue with the government's regulatory authorities. Thomas and his team discussed the necessary adjustments to the DXP with the government engineers. It was determined that we would need a more powerful engine, a roof with a windshield and wipers, and hazard warning lights and position lights to increase safety, among other things. Thomas and Oscar made these adjustments. So the prototype of the Thailand DXP is finished and ready to go through the certification tests. We expect the whole process to be completed by May 2021. We are already looking forward to our DXP completing its first test runs on Bangkok's streets for customers such as the Thai Post Office.

23.02.2021, PH

If you have any questions, please contact Philipp Heim:

KYBURZ has extended the company cards for another year. The 4 cards are free for our employees and their families. They can be reserved with Sabine.

For a successful excursion into the animal world, please inform yourself in advance via the zoo homepage, which is up to date on the latest Covid safety measures and worth a visit.

23.02.2021, SL

Good to know:

With the annual tickets, you get a 10% discount in the Zoo Shop!

1st - 2nd - 3rd Life Recycling

We have been producing electric vehicles in series since 1994. The focus was on passenger vehicles for the elderly or people with limited mobility. Since 2009 KYBURZ has also specialized in transport vehicles for the postal service and other deliveries. In both areas, B2C and B2B, we take back used vehicles and give the vehicles a second life. Vehicles that are no longer operationally safe are professionally dismantled. Functional components are overhauled and reinstalled in vehicles. Only irreparable parts are recycled or disposed of.

One of the most valuable components of our vehicles is the LFP batteries. They go through the following use and recycling cycles:

Freshly produced batteries are installed in new vehicles and provide energy to the electric vehicle during the 1st Life cycle. This vehicle drives until it is no longer roadworthy due to mechanical weaknesses and returns to the Kyburz company.

Then the batteries are removed and tested for capacity and internal resistance. The batteries with a capacity above 85% are installed in factory-revised vehicles and thus enter the 2nd Life cycle.

All batteries that do not pass this capacity test but have a capacity between 65% and 85% are installed in various power storage products at Kyburz. This 3rd Life cycle lasts until the capacity drops below 65%.

When an LFP battery has reached this stage, it can store and release electricity for a lifetime in various applications. From this point on, the energy carrier is no longer suitable for further cycles. At the end of life, the LFP battery is gently separated and broken down into the raw materials in our in-house recycling facility without the use of solvents. We recover 91% of the original materials through this process and return them to the manufacture of new products. Thus the cycle is closed. We gain the best possible potential from an LFP battery both ecologically and economically.

12.02.2021, LUB

Do you have questions about sustainability? Contact Luca Botta directly.