Posts Tagged ‘green energy’

How Significant are the Battery Types of Electric Bikes?

Thursday, May 5th, 2011

If you’re planning to ride an electric bike in summer, having an excellent battery type to power the two wheels becomes crucial, something you may want to consider when taking out the bike for one long ride. It is a fact that the battery is the most important part of an electric bicycle, one that can decide both the price of the bike in question as well as the range, think about it. So here’s a recap of some battery types and with it, you should be able to narrow down on your choice of electric bikes with ease!

There are different battery types available in the market:

Sealed Lead Acid (SLA)
It is the most common battery type and is highly recommended for beginners and for people who are looking for cost-effectiveness. It is affordable in terms of cost, as 36 Volt 8 AH SLA costs approximately around $160. But its heavy weight and questionable durability pose disadvantageous aspects to its usage.

Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMh)
It has got an edge over the SLA type batteries, as NiMh batteries weigh only half the weight of the SLA and last longer in terms of charges, i.e. 500-600 charges in a span of 2-3 years. This is a highly recommended option for people who choose the conversion kits to enhance the power of batteries, as most of the pre-built electric bikes come with either Li-Ion, or SLA.

Lithium Ion (Li-Ion)
Apart from being an expensive option, it is one of the most durable and light weight batteries available in the market. Plenty of laptops models are manufactured with Li-Ion type batteries. Three types of Li-Ion are used in the manufacturing of electric bikes:
• Lithium-Manganese (LiMnO2): It is a battery lighter in weight, but heavier in Li-Ion chemistry, used most commonly in the electric bike manufacturing. It typically ranges up to 800 charges and below.
• Lithium-Polymer (LiPo): Quite expensive compared to the LiMnO2 type, but has got a lighter Li-Ion chemistry.
• Lithium-Phosphate (LiFePo4): This is the most costly battery used in the electric bikes and one of the longest lasting types too, ranging up to 2000 charges.

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The Incredible Folding Electric Bike!

Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011

Zipping around town on your E-bike is a hoot. It saves money on gas and you get some exercise, too. But what about when you want to go on a trip and still intend to ride your bike while you’re away? You may not want to fuss with an unwieldy bike roof rack or maybe you have a small car that wouldn’t safely hold the bike. If you are a frequent traveler, a folding electric bike is for you.

With folding electric bikes costing between $400 and $1500, there are many people who give pause in their consideration of purchasing a bike. Don’t let those prices put you off. When you consider that a bike can save you more than $2500 per year in gas costs, it’s easy to see where an E-bike will more than make up for the purchase price.

Those who enjoy road trips will find that taking along an E-bike will give them greater freedom in towns along the way. They can save even more gas by using their bikes to get around in cities and towns, especially while sightseeing. They’re even cheaper than public transportation. Depending on the hotel, you can just wheel your bike into your hotel room and plug it in to recharge.

Another advantage is that when you’re ready to get on the road again, you just fold it up and hitch it to the back of your car and ride away. If you don’t have a bike hitch, a folding E-bike will fit in a large trunk or the back of an SUV. Talk about convenient!

E-bikes are attractive vehicles and come in a wide variety of colors and styles. Anyway you look at it a folding electric E-bike is a worthwhile purchase and gives the rider greater freedom and terrific savings. Check them out at your local bike shop today.

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Hub Motors Explained!

Friday, March 18th, 2011

Lately the news has been filled with reports about green energy sources and renewable energy. The United States, among other countries, has begun focusing its attention on these sources. Hub motors, or direct drive motors, are being investigated to see how they may be applied to various vehicles. The ebike or electric bicycle is one of the biggest users of hybrid motor.

China is the biggest manufacturer of hub motors. Electric bikes and scooters are very common there since they conserve on fuel and are helping to lower the pollution levels. With all of the crowding in China, the hub motor used on bikes and scooters helps move traffic along faster, too.

Other countries have been slower to use these propulsion devices. In the United States, the regulations governing hub motor and electric bike usage are stringent, with most bikes not allowed on city and town streets. Even more confusing is the fact that each state has its own laws concerning bikes.

Hub motors use electromagnetic fields to propel the vehicle forward. There are two types of hub motors:

• Brush motors
• Brushless motors

Each have pros and cons:

• Brush motor pros: less expensive.
• Brush motor cons: less efficient.
• Brushless motor pros: more efficient, saving money and energy in the long run.
• Brushless motor cons: more expensive to manufacture and buy.

Hub motors help scooters and other lighter vehicles be quieter, reducing noise pollution and making for quieter streets. Vehicles using hub motors are lighter because they do not require the use of a transmission, gas tank, motor, or drive chain. Hub motors are versatile, cost effective and best of all, fuel efficient.

Consider buying a vehicle that uses this propulsion technology and help conserve fuel and help the environment.


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