EV World West Coast Contributing Editor attends largest North American bike show
Open Access Article Originally Published: October 10, 2006
It is an exciting time for electric vehicles. Companies like Tesla Motors, Wrightspeed and AC Propulsion are building battery-electric cars that give their internal-combustion-powered counterparts a run for their money in terms of power, range and convenience. Almost everyone agrees that these electric cars do less damage to the environment than those powered by gasoline.
Electric cars do, however, have a significant environmental impact. The Tesla roadster makes 185kW (248 hp). The AC Propulsion eBox makes 120kW (161 hp). Both vehicles weigh between one and two tons. Moving vehicles this heavy, using all the power available to them, uses energy – lots of energy. Generating this much energy damages the environment, whether the electricity is made by a coal-fired plant, a nuclear reactor, or a photovoltaic array. Storing the energy generally requires batteries which can be made from toxic materials and can pose safety issues in normal use. Don't get me wrong; I am not saying that electric cars are as bad as gasoline-powered cars. I am simply pointing out that, although they are better, they are not perfect.
“Alright, Smartypants,” the astute reader now comments, “What is better than the electric car?”
Glad you asked. There are vehicles out there that use less than 0.1% as much power as the Tesla Roadster. They weigh 1.5% as much as the AC Propulsion eBox. They can carry all your groceries, and when they are appropriately configured, you can use them to take your kids to school or soccer practice. Of course, their small size and low power output means that their battery packs are far smaller, so they use less toxic material and pose less of a safety hazard.
Intrigued? Now let me tell you that these miracle-vehicles will keep you healthier, help you live longer, and they can improve your mood and your outlook on life. Sold yet? What if I told you that they cost about 1% of the price of the Tesla Roadster. What's more, they are being mass-produced right now! You don't have to put down a deposit and wait months or years for delivery. Ladies and gentlemen, please try to avoid causing a stampede as you rush to your local bike shop to pick up your very own electric bicycle.
I recently attended Interbike in Las Vegas, the annual industry bike show in which the bicycle companies show bicycle dealers all that is new and exciting. I have been following the electric bicycle industry since I was lead engineer for Charger Electric Bicycles in 1998. Although some companies are still peddling 1990s technology, clunky-looking bicycles with simplistic control systems and lead-acid batteries, many other manufacturers are pushing the limits of e-bike design. They are coming out with products that are functional, beautiful and fun.
In terms of beauty and practicality, I was most impressed by Schwinn's new line of electric bicycles (www.schwinnbike.com/products/intbikes_category.php?id=110). For 2007, Schwinn has partnered with Protanium, Inc., who provided motors and batteries for the line. They have seventeen new models to choose from which will be available by Spring,2007. Styles of the bikes vary considerably. Some, such as the “Campus” bear a striking resemblance to old English three speeds with leather saddles and handlebar grips. Others, such as the “Speedster” look like an Indian-brand motorcycle with pedals. The “Transit Europa” resembles many of the new breed of dedicated commuter bikes appearing these days, with a full chain guard, integrated lighting system, and an adjustable handlebar stem.
The Schwinn e-bikes all minimize their electric nature. Lithium polymer batteries are hidden in pseudo gas tanks or tucked in small, flat packages under a rear rack. The hub motor on the front wheel is unobtrusive. The designers even hid the electric wiring in the fork tubes in their effort to keep their products looking like normal bikes.
Schwinn e-bikes weigh between forty and forty five pounds, with riding ranges up to forty miles. Pricing on the Schwinns was not available, but it is clear that Schwinn is going to be making a lot of these and marketing them aggressively. Prices will be competitive.
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Reader Comments
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13 comments so far...
03-Sep-2008
63642
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I think they are great. 175 watts is a bit too low in my opinion. I have installed a $360 500W kit on my Mountain bike from www.ampedbikes.com and I ride it daily and it gets me outside everyday in the sunshine and I get about 200% more exercise than I have had in the passed 10 years. When I get tired I just hit the switch and let the bike take me home.
Posted by: Hans Bridger
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22-Nov-2006
37995
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I drive a Civic Hybrid and get 40mpg at 70mph with the air conditioning on. I am dying to have an all electric vehicle, and it looks like these bikes are all I can afford. Heck, why don't I go out and buy one???
Posted by: Richard Easton
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23-Oct-2006
35209
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Check out this site www.ohmcycles.com I think these guys have one of the coolest looking products I have seen so far. They use the bionx system for propultion and an upgraded battery for longer travel time.
Posted by: Andrew Haley
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29-Oct-2006
35830
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I've been excited by eBikes for years; however, I have yet to find one that I really like (weighing under 40 lbs, costing less than $500 and available in pedal assist mode). By the way, I saw an e-bike on Amazon for just $100. Called the Minimoto, the bike will only hold riders up to 175 lbs but it is interesting.
Respectfully,
Larry Lagarde
RideTHISbike.com
Urging bicycling for recreation, commuting, health and a better future.
Posted by: Larry Lagarde
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17-Oct-2006
34893
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Anyone interested in responsible transportation will stay far away from these nightmares. What the hell is wrong with people? Ever heard of a bicycle? You know, the kind you pedal? The kind that go 30mph with nothing but human power? Why screw it up by adding heavy metals and non-recyclable components? E-bikes are a fucking disgrace.
Posted by: Tod Brilliant
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17-Oct-2006
34900
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"The kind that go 30mph with nothing but human power? Why screw it up by adding heavy metals and non-recyclable components? E-bikes are a fucking disgrace."
30mph on the flats? Hmmm it seems we have a cycling facist on the board?
Just remember Tod, in hell your lycra pants will melt and stick painfully to your testicals. See you there.. he he.
Posted by: Nick Flynn
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31-Oct-2006
36016
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Thanks Andrew Haley. Ohmcycles.com has a couple nice bikes. I'm watching them and the new Schwinn ebikes for the best integration of technology and design on the market at the moment.
Posted by: Paul Durham
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20-Oct-2006
35059
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"Properly configured" means with a bike trailer and/or side baskets. Any e-bike is better than any car, environmentally. Anything that encourages to leave their cars parked more often is a good thing. I'm waiting for the e-bike equivalent of a Prius: CVT drive with electric assist, no exposed chain or gearing, human takes the place of the engine. More expensive but low maintenance and easy to use.
Posted by: richard schumacher
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12-Oct-2006
34625
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Could this article have been written without lecturing us about how evil cars are, and implying that we'll all be reduced to riding bikes in the end?
I'm particularly puzzled by the comment, "They can carry all your groceries, and when they are appropriately configured, you can use them to take your kids to school or soccer practice." Huh? I thought some kind of explanation would follow, but it never did.
Posted by: Tony Belding
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12-Oct-2006
34663
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Tony,
Have a look at this site. http://cleverchimp.com/products/stokemonkey/
I don't work for them, its just the photo's nicely illustrate the concept.
I also found the anti- car vibe a bit silly. That
said, i think there's a sizeable portion of folks who think climate change can be stopped by frugleness alone. Not my point of view but who knows maybe their right?
Posted by: Nick F
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12-Oct-2006
34664
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I don't see how the article said anything about how EVIL cars are, cars are not evil, or bad or anything. They are tools. Sometimes Cars, like other tools, are used stupidly. Americans basically are addicted to cars. Saying that we are not or that it is a stupid statement is not a benefit or a solution. Bicycles are PROVEN to be more efficient than cars, Electric assist on bicycles remove many of the objections (I will get sweaty, I can't go up hills! etc) to cycling. and can you go get groceries and take kids to school on a bike? Yes. Easily too and at a cost that is FAR less than a car. In fact, the ENTIRE cost of my Recumbent trike AND electric assist is far less than the INSURANCE on my Minivan. (not counting other expenses such as gas, oil, payments etc) Bikes are a proven transportation solution, e-assist bikes are a means of IMPROVING the basic bicycle!
Posted by: Mark Garvey
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12-Oct-2006
34681
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“Alright, Smartypants,” the astute reader now comments, “What is better than the electric car?”
My pedal bike gets 633 mpg, when you take caoric equilevent to a gallon of gas. I also feel better and get stronger making no pollution ,least you could my breathing which I do anyway.
If an electric bike doesn't have pedals it doesn't have extra range or efficiency. Even a car should have pedals like the twike I also got. At slow 10-30 mph you can add to the fun and pedal. Then you can zip ahead on all electric when needed.
Posted by: jim stack
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30-Dec-2007
59769
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I don't think 175 watts will quite cut it. How did they come out with that number? From proctical experience with E-bikes, 450w is more practical. (175 will not get you over the hill, but 450 with groceries and trailor will without exhausting pedaling)
Posted by: Streetcar Eddie
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