The Future of Transportation is Electric

Technology

Electric bikes are a new and promising alternative form of urban transportation. They provide all the advantages of a regular bicycle while eliminating one of the bicycle’s main drawbacks, lack of power. You can pedal normally and use the motor just to help out on slopes, inclines and headwinds, or use the motor all the time, just to make riding easier and faster. The key elements for this human-electric hybrid are essentially a battery, a motor and a motor controller (throttle or adjuster) to control or adjust the power. The intended goal of electric bikes in the world is to truly affect positive change on a large scale basis by getting you out of your car, enjoying fresh air and also, the benefit of physical activity while you accomplish all the running around of your daily life. Think of all the trips to the grocery store, the hardware store, the video store… even your daily commute to work. Electric bikes turn errands into joy rides. Electric bikes do not take away from your daily exercise; they add to it. But better yet, they often initiate it – with no previous fitness required. Enthusiasts range from teenagers to grandparents. Electric bikes are durable and low-maintenance, they can go upto 50 kms on literally few rupees worth of electricity, and they generate zero emissions while being ridden. Commuters are cutting their commute time by as much as half and arriving to work fresh and ready to go – all while having fun, saving money, and making the world a cleaner place.

In the world today, there are two broad classifications of electric bicycles. One is called a “Pedelec” and the other is a “Throttle Assist” or “On-Demand.” The Pedelecs have a power limit generally legislated by different countries. A Pedelec doesn’t have a throttle, like a motorcycle, but uses what’s called a “Torque Assist” instead. So when you pedal, the motor adds a certain amount of power, which you can generally adjust. The Pedelec operates just like a regular bicycle. You turn the pedals and it gives you some assistance.

The other type of electric bicycle has a throttle similar to a motorcycle. They’re called Throttle Assist (or On-Demand), meaning you can control the power at will by the throttle. You still pedal like a normal bicycle, but you can adjust the power as you need it.

The estimated population E-bike globally in use is 250 million ++. Electric bicycles (e-bikes) continue to be the highest selling electric vehicle (EV) on the planet, with one of the highest unit sales forecast rates across the hybrid category. Improving lithium ion (Li-ion) battery technology is resulting in e-bikes that are lighter, lower in cost, and remarkably similar to traditional bicycles. Additionally, increasing urbanization and a desire to move away from cars for motorized transportation are opening up more opportunities for alternative mobility devices. E-bikes are uniquely positioned to be a primary benefactor of this trend since they are low in cost relative to cars, do not require licensing and can take advantage of existing bicycling infrastructure.