On October 21, 2020, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Unit City in Kyiv to check on the well-being of residents during the ongoing pandemic. During his visit, he had the chance to see the Delfast electric bike for the first time and was impressed enough to promise support for local e-bike production.

Daniel Tonkopiy and Serhii Denysenko, the founders of Delfast, were excited to meet the president and show him their innovative product. They shared that sales had surged by four to five times since the start of the quarantine, as more people turned away from cars and unsafe public transport towards safer, greener options like bicycles and e-bikes.

Zelensky, who admitted it had been a while since he last rode a bike, listened intently as Daniel explained the lack of proper cycling infrastructure in Ukraine. He learned that there are very few dedicated bike paths in Kyiv or other cities, and that local authorities have shown little interest in improving this situation.

Tonkopiy then revealed one of Delfast’s biggest challenges: their current production base in China. The company is eager to move manufacturing to Ukraine but needs government support to make it happen. In response, Zelensky said, “I am ready to support e-bike production in Ukraine.” He suggested Bila Tserkva, a city about 80 km from Kyiv, as a potential location for the new factory.

Amid the conversation, someone in the crowd jokingly remarked that Zelensky might now be the “investment nanny” for Delfast. Despite the lighthearted tone, the president’s commitment to the project signaled a positive shift for the growing e-mobility industry in Ukraine.