Key Takeaways
• “Made in France” and “designed in France” are two distinct realities: do not confuse them.
• Damius manufactured its tricycles in France for 10 years, from 2016 to 2025.
• Damius engineering, design, and quality control remain entirely based in Miramas.
• Final assembly, adjustments, and road tests are still performed in France before shipping.
• After-sales service, spare parts, and customer support continue to be provided from Miramas.
Behind the expression “made in France,” there is often less than one might think, and sometimes more than is said. Here is what it truly means for an electric tricycle, and how to navigate your choice before purchasing.
Why consider the origin of an electric tricycle?
When looking for a “made in France” electric tricycle, one is often seeking several things at once: a guarantee of quality, accessible after-sales service, the certainty of finding replacement parts, and sometimes a way to support the local economy. These are legitimate concerns, but they do not all address the same question.
The quality of an electric tricycle depends primarily on its design: the technical specifications, the choice of components, the frame geometry, and manufacturing tolerances. This work can be carried out in France even if the parts are produced elsewhere. Conversely, a tricycle assembled in France with poorly selected low-end components will not be any better for it.
The availability of after-sales service and parts is yet another matter: it depends on the manufacturer’s organization, not the production site. A model manufactured in Asia by a French company that stocks its parts in France will be much better supported than a model manufactured in Europe by an importer who holds no stock.
The concrete benefits of French design
Designing a tricycle in France means designing it for French use. The roads, the terrain, the user profiles, European and French safety standards, and commuting habits in peri-urban or rural areas all influence design choices. A tricycle conceived in Provence for French adults will not have the same priorities as a model designed for the Asian market and adapted for the European or American market.
On an environmental level, local design also reduces the back-and-forth of prototypes and allows for defects to be corrected quickly, without sending them across an ocean for every iteration. At Damius, the R&D phase takes place entirely in Miramas, using 3D modeling tools, a 3D printer, and a prototyping workshop. A problem detected during road testing can be corrected in a few days, not a few months.
Damius: ten years of French manufacturing, a design that remains in France
I will be direct on this point, because I believe you deserve an honest answer. Damius manufactured its tricycles in Miramas from 2016 to the end of 2025: manufacturing frames and wheels, machining parts, and 100% complete assembly on-site. It was a reality we were proud of, and we still are.
Since the end of 2025, we have outsourced manufacturing abroad. This was not a choice we made lightly. It has allowed us to reduce our selling prices while maintaining, or even improving, our tricycles’ equipment and quality. However, we are not going to dress up this change with vague marketing formulas.
What does not change: the design is still in Miramas. Damien Gran and Clément still work on the models with the same tools (Solidworks, 3D printer, machining equipment). Cédric still handles the final assembly, and Sébastien performs the adjustments and road tests before each shipment. Jérémy still manages after-sales service and spare parts from our premises. Mathis and Charly still answer the phone Monday to Friday at 04 90 59 49 10.
Our ten years of experience as a manufacturer has given us very precise knowledge of what to demand from a subcontractor: manufacturing tolerances, materials, quality controls, and common failure points. This expertise is not lost just because the production method changes.
By working with a trusted industrial partner, we benefit from all their experience and quality standards. We add to this our expertise in the field of adult tricycles and our experience as a manufacturer to obtain high-quality tricycles, perfectly equipped and for a much more accessible budget than in the past.
Current Damius models
The current range includes four electric models, all designed in Miramas, delivered ready to use with no assembly required. The Essentiel at 2,490 euros is the entry point: complete, stable, and well-equipped with its original differential for daily use. The Essentiel Fatbike at 2,690 euros adds 20-inch wide tires for irregular and soft terrain. The Evasion at 2,990 euros has been our bestseller since 2016: very low step-through frame, hydraulic disc brakes, Nexus derailleur, indicators, and integrated lock. The Evasion Evo at 3,790 euros adds an automatic gearbox and a mid-drive motor with 95 Nm of torque.
Technical specifications of electric tricycles
Range and power
An adult electric tricycle weighs between 35 and 50 kg depending on the equipment. To move this machine with a rider on board over hilly terrain, a weak motor is not enough. What matters is the torque in Newton-meters (Nm): it reflects the force available on climbs, not the peak power shown on the technical sheet.
Range depends on battery capacity, rider weight, the chosen assistance level, and the terrain. In practice, a 417Wh battery allows for ~40 km with moderate assistance on terrain with low elevation changes. On a hilly route with sustained assistance, expect closer to thirty kilometers. The maximum figures announced correspond to the most favorable conditions: flat terrain, minimal assistance, and a light rider. At Damius, we communicate average ranges generally observed by our customers; we couldn’t be more honest!
Stability and comfort
The stability of a tricycle relies on its chassis geometry and the position of its center of gravity. A low chassis, with a generous wheelbase between the two rear wheels, is more stable in turns than a tall, narrow tricycle. At Damius, the frame design was conceived from the start to lower this center of gravity: this is one of the reasons why the Evasion is renowned for its road holding.
The differential is a feature found on all Damius models. It allows the two rear wheels to turn at different speeds in corners, which prevents jerking and preserves the tires. It is a technical component that truly makes a difference in daily use, especially in narrow streets and tight turns.
Financing and maintenance
Available financing plans
Damius offers payment in up to 6 monthly installments, directly at the time of order. For an Essentiel at 2,490 euros, this represents 415 euros per month for six months. This is a concrete benchmark: the monthly cost of a new electric tricycle, with a lifetime frame warranty and other parts guaranteed for two years, delivered to your home ready to ride with a 14-day Money-Back Guarantee up to 10km of testing.
For persons with reduced mobility or those recognized as disabled by the MDPH, financial aid exists for the purchase of a technical mobility aid. The Disability Compensation Benefit (PCH) may cover part of the cost depending on your situation. Certain mutual insurance companies also reimburse part of this type of purchase upon presentation of a medical prescription and an invoice. Your pension fund (CARSAT) may also offer assistance depending on your situation.
Maintenance tips
A well-maintained electric tricycle can easily last ten years. The points of vigilance are few but regular: tire pressure (to be checked as often as possible), chain lubrication and cleanliness (to be checked approximately every 500 km), and the condition of the brake pads (every 1,000 km). For the rest, an annual check-up at a competent cycle repair shop is sufficient in most cases.
The battery deserves special attention in winter. Avoid leaving it completely discharged for several weeks: a Li-ion battery stored at 50-70% charge keeps much better. In summer, do not leave it in direct sunlight for long hours: heat accelerates the aging of the cells.
At Damius, Jérémy manages after-sales service and spare parts from Miramas. If you need a brake cable, a chain, an electrical harness, or a replacement screen, the parts are in stock and shipped quickly. This is one of the concrete advantages of buying from a French company that controls its supplies.
Mathis and Charly, our sales advisors, can help you choose the model best suited to your terrain, your body type, and your habits. You can also come and try our tricycles directly in Miramas. The number is 04 90 59 49 10, Monday to Friday. Delivery is free, ready to use, throughout France.
Looking for a “made in France” electric tricycle is a good approach, provided you know exactly what you are looking for. If it is the quality of design, customer support, and the longevity of after-sales service, Damius has met these criteria since 2012. If it is physical assembly on French soil, we did it for ten years and no longer practice it since the end of 2025. We prefer to tell you clearly.
Do you have a question about our models or our approach? The Damius team answers Monday to Friday.
