smart ebike to go on sale in 2012
16 August 2011
The smart ebike (from Daimler) is going into series production. A near-series version of the smart ebike will be on display at the Eurobike show in Friedrichshafen (31 August - 3 September 2011) and at the Frankfurt Motor Show (13 - 25 September 2011).
The smart ebike is being developed and built in cooperation with the e-bike manufacturer GRACE, based near Berlin. The ebike will be launched in the first half of 2012 and will initially be marketed by dealers in Europe and North America.
According to the association of the two-wheeler industry (ZIV) sales figures in Germany alone rose from 70,000 in 2007 to 200,000 in 2010. In 2018 the ZIV predicts that e-bikes will make up 15% of all bicycle sales in Germany. In Europe in 2007 approximately 200,000 people opted for an electric bicycle; according to the ZIV by 2009 this figure had risen to 500,000. In 2010 around 700,000 e-bikes were sold throughout Europe—up 40% compared with the previous year.
As a pedelec (Pedal Electric Cycle) the smart ebike is strictly speaking a hybrid vehicle: the electric motor—a maintenance-free and brushless rear-wheel hub motor from BionX—switches on as soon as the rider starts pedaling as with a normal bicycle. Muscle power is transmitted to the rear wheel via a belt drive. An integrated three-speed gear hub provides for comfortable gear changing.
The rider of the smart ebike decides how much power he or she wants the 250 watt electric motor to deliver to support muscle power by pressing a button on the handlebar. There is a choice of four power levels with the fourth and highest level providing maximum pushing power. Depending on the power level selected and the manner of cycling a charge of the 400 Wh Li-ion battery can last for more than 100 kilometers.
The battery pack is located on the lower bar in the frame triangle under a plastic housing. The portable battery can be charged either at a normal socket or while riding; braking energy is recuperated.
Smart use of e-power. Over 10,000,000 were sold in China last year.
Posted by: HarveyD | 16 August 2011 at 07:47 AM
Not for nothing, but as described this bike sounds like a lightweight. A motor consuming 250 watts is drawing around 5 amps @ 50 volts, and most modern e-bike controllers are rated from 20-35 amps, and are designed to power more robust hub capable of handling 750-1000 watts intermittently. This is the kind of power necessary to move, say, a 90-100 kg load (eg. strong bike frame, rider and groceries) up a moderate grade. A 400 W-h battery will get you about 20-25 miles if you pedal and only use the power when you need it. Nothing against Bionx gear... it's good quality stuff, just sayin'...
Posted by: E-Biker | 16 August 2011 at 02:19 PM
I wonder if that's 400 watts total battery, or 400 usable with whatever their depth-of-discharge regime is?
Anyway, if an electric car can travel 1.5-3 miles on 400 watt hours, then a bike weighing 1/12th as much with a much smaller frontal cross section and traveling at lower speeds should be able to 18-36 miles on batteries alone. Add in some pedaling and that's an adequate commuter for most people.
Posted by: HealthyBreeze | 16 August 2011 at 05:18 PM
@HB "I wonder if that's 400 watts total battery, or 400 usable with whatever their depth-of-discharge regime is?"
That would be available energy between V full charge and V do not exceed discharge (typically limited in a Li battery by a battery management system pcb). Useable range in my 8A-h 48V battery is 54-41VDC.
Posted by: E-Biker | 16 August 2011 at 10:10 PM
Belt drive and gears? Feh. License Toyota's HSD system instead.
Posted by: richard schumacher | 18 August 2011 at 04:13 AM