 E-Bikes For Dummies |
May 07, 2010 - 9:43 PM - by admin
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An electric bicycle is a bike with an electric motor used to power the vehicle, or to assist with pedaling. In many parts of the world, electric bicycles are classified as bicycles rather than motor vehicles, so they are not subject to the same laws as motor vehicles.
Electric ebike usage worldwide has experienced rapid growth since 1998. It is estimated that there were roughly 120 million "ebikes" on the road in China as of early 2010. The “Electric Bikes Worldwide Reports – 2010 Update” estimates that 1,000,000 electric ebikes will be sold in Europe in 2010. The same report estimates that sales in the USA will reach roughly 300,000 in 2010, doubling the number sold in 2009.
By 2001 the terms, e-bikes, power bike, pedelec, assisted bicycle and power-assisted bicycle where commonly used to describe electric e-bikes. E-bike, according to Google, is a term that has increased in trend. The terms Electric Motorbike or E-Motorbike have been used to describe more powerful models which attain up to 50 mph.
Federal law in the US states that an electric e-bike must have a top speed under 20 mph and motors which produces less than 750 watts/1 hp. They are not considered motor vehicles by the federal government and are subject to the same consumer safety laws as unassisted bicycles. Their legality on public roads is under state jurisdiction, and varies.
Most electric bicycles and electric scooters can be classified as zero-emissions vehicles, as they emit no combustion byproducts. The environmental effects of electricity generation and power distribution and of manufacturing and disposing of (limited life) high storage density batteries must be taken into account. Even with these issues considered, an electric bike or electric scooter will have significantly lower environmental impact than conventional automobiles, and are generally seen as environmentally desirable in an urban environment. The small size of the battery pack on an electric bicycle, relative to the larger pack used in an electric car, make ebikes very good candidates for charging via solar power or other renewable energy resources. Sanyo capitalized on this benefit when it set up "solar parking lots," in which ebike riders can charge their vehicles while parked under photovoltaic panels.
There is a wide selection of electric bike conversion kits and accessories to convert a standard bike to an electric ebike. These conversions vary in price depending on the type of batteries used and the make and model of the conversion kit purchased. Currently one of the best priced electric bikes would be a Currie e-zip or i-zip. There is an extensive review and modification section in this forum for the ezip / izip bikes some have even been able to modify the bike to reach a top speed of 30mph. As you will see in our forums the ezip is the most modified and reviewed electric e-bike. You can also build your own custom electric e-bikes with an ebike kit so check out some reviews and decide for yourself. My first e-bike was an ezip that I purchased at wal-mart for $279 plus tax and it was the best money I have ever spent! I now own multiple electric ebikes and highly recommend them to everybody. Once you test drive one you to will be hooked!
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