The first phase of Exeter's new e-bike hire scheme has been unveiled this week, as the city's first Co-bike recharging hubs have been installed at both Exeter Central station and the Digby & Sowton park and ride. 

More are expected to roll out in the near future at the Civic Centre, County Hall, Exeter St. David's station, and other central locations in the next phase of the scheme.

This particular bike hire scheme uses public bike sharing company nextbike's framework under the sponsorship of Co-bike, a new venture from South West hire-by-the-hour car club Co-cars.

A total of 23 bikes will be available to hire for periods between 30 minutes and 24 hours from the four locations in the city in the first phase of the project, though more bikes are set to be added as the scheme grows.

>Read more: Oxford offers both pedal assisted and non-assisted hire bikes

Each bike uses power-assisted pedalling to aid the ride, rather than a twist-and-go motor, and has a range of 40 to 60 miles of adjustable power.

The founder and managing director of Co-bikes's sister company Co-cars, Mark Hodgson, told the Exeter Express and Echo that the hubs are currently in testing, but are expected to be functional soon.

He said: “We are currently testing the docking hubs, so we’re working hard and it will be ready soon. We have spent a lot of time getting to this point and we need to get this right.

“There’s been a lot of interest when we’ve been installing the hubs and cycling the bikes around Exeter.”

While you won't be able to hire a bike just yet, the network is expected to be functional a little later in the year.