SKF joins forces with CAKE and Vattenfall to create the Cleanest Dirt Bike Ever

CAKE and Vattenfall's Cleanest Dirt Bike Ever project, aiming to inspire fossil free production in the industry, has gained a new partner. SKF has signed a letter of intent with CAKE to explore how it can incorporate bearings produced with lowest possible carbon emissions.

CAKE and Vattenfall have committed to producing the Cleanest Dirt Bike Ever by removing carbon emissions from every part of the electric CAKE Kalk OR bike's value chain by 2025, without resorting to carbon offsetting. The goal of the initiative is to inspire the automotive industry to adopt fossil free production methods through innovative partnerships.

Recently, the market leading manufacturer of suspension products Öhlins Racing, joined the project and has officially initiated its own process to decarbonize its production chain, bringing their carbon emissions to a minimum. Today, CAKE and Vattenfall are announcing the next partner of the project. SKF, one of the world's largest bearing manufacturers, is joining forces with CAKE to explore how to develop and incorporate bearings produced with lowest possible emissions.

“When Vattenfall and CAKE embarked on this journey, we knew that we were facing a challenge and were determined to build the Cleanest Dirt Bike Ever – from the materials used in its production to assembled bike. One and a half year down the road, we have inspired industry giants to come along with us and push their limits when it comes to decarbonization of production, making an impact lasting beyond the dirt bike. This is what the project is about – creating a fossil free mindset in every part of the production phase – and that is why we are happy to announce that SKF, one of the world’s largest and most advanced bearing manufacturers, is now joining in” says Stefan Ytterborn, CEO of CAKE.

SKF will use their extensive expertise to explore electrification in the value chain and how low-emission bearings can be implemented in key areas of the bike, such as the steering, wheels, frame, and e-motor. SKF experts will also work with CAKE to look at ways to further reduce emissions as part of the project.

“SKF and CAKE share a common heritage and sustainability ambition. Our experience as a leader in the two-wheeler market, coupled with our knowledge and expertise in sustainability and producing bearings, means that we can make a tangible contribution towards realising CAKE and Vattenfall's vision of a clean dirt bike. We are proud to join like-minded industry colleagues who share the determination that change is urgently needed for a sustainable future. Leveraging our combined expertise, we can trigger and accelerate the creation of products that contributes to this industry transformation” says David Johansson, President Automotive, at SKF.

The Cleanest Dirt Bike Ever
One bike built to change how all vehicles are made.

The automotive industry has a huge responsibility to lead the way to a fossil free society. That goes much further than how vehicles are powered. It means removing carbon emissions from entire production chains. CAKE and Vattenfall teamed up to lead the way, aiming to produce the first truly fossil free vehicle by 2025, decarbonizing every link in the production chain for the CAKE Kalk OR bike. Our mission is to inspire industry and policy makers to act, so we’ll share our breakthroughs, setbacks and methodology along the way. Because going fossil free ourselves is great, but inspiring others to do it is even better.
www.cleanestdirtbikeever.com


About SKF

SKF is a world-leading provider of innovative solutions that help industries become more competitive and sustainable. By making products lighter, more efficient, longer lasting, and repairable, we help our customers improve their rotating equipment performance and reduce their environmental impact. Our offering around the rotating shaft includes bearings, seals, lubrication management, condition monitoring, and services. Founded in 1907, SKF is represented in approximately 129 countries and has around 17,000 distributor locations worldwide. Annual sales in 2022 were SEK 96,933 million and the number of employees was 42,641.
www.skf.com