ebikes
World Electric Vehicle Journal Vol. 3 - ISSN 2032-6653 - © 2009 AVERE
EVS24
Stavanger, Norway, May 13-16, 2009
A Comparative Study of 12 Electrically Assisted Bicycles
Jean-Marc Timmermans1, Julien Matheys, Philippe Lataire, Joeri Van Mierlo, Jan Cappelle2
1
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium, jptimmer@vub.ac.be
2
KaHo-Sint Lieven, Gebroeders Desmetstraat1, 9000 Gent, Belgium
Abstract
A sample of 12 electric bicycles offered on the Belgian and Italian markets was the subject of a comparative quality and performance study. This sample contains electric bicycles of different price categories and with different drive technologies. This paper describes the test program that was used for the study and reveals the differences that were observed between the test samples. The electric bicycles were tested on the road in the Brussels region. An appreciation of the electric traction offered by the bicycle in different situations was given: electrical assistance at start, on a flat road, when riding uphill and when decelerating or braking with the bicycle. The vehicle’s driving range under real driving conditions, was determined for the different electric bicycles. Also the electricity consumption when recharging the traction battery was measured and allowed to make an analysis of the cost for driving an electric bicycle. An environmental analysis (well-to-wheel) was made of the electric bicycles and put against the environmental impact of a thermal moped and an electric scooter.
Keywords: light electric vehicle, bicycle; energy consumption, vehicle performance, environment
1
Introduction
Light Electric Vehicles (LEV) form a group of promising alternative vehicles for both personal mobility and goods delivery. In particular, electric bicycles are becoming more and more popular in Western Europe. In the 1990s, when electric bicycles were introduced in Europe, the target group of these bicycles was mainly
EVS24
Stavanger, Norway, May 13-16, 2009
A Comparative Study of 12 Electrically Assisted Bicycles
Jean-Marc Timmermans1, Julien Matheys, Philippe Lataire, Joeri Van Mierlo, Jan Cappelle2
1
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium, jptimmer@vub.ac.be
2
KaHo-Sint Lieven, Gebroeders Desmetstraat1, 9000 Gent, Belgium
Abstract
A sample of 12 electric bicycles offered on the Belgian and Italian markets was the subject of a comparative quality and performance study. This sample contains electric bicycles of different price categories and with different drive technologies. This paper describes the test program that was used for the study and reveals the differences that were observed between the test samples. The electric bicycles were tested on the road in the Brussels region. An appreciation of the electric traction offered by the bicycle in different situations was given: electrical assistance at start, on a flat road, when riding uphill and when decelerating or braking with the bicycle. The vehicle’s driving range under real driving conditions, was determined for the different electric bicycles. Also the electricity consumption when recharging the traction battery was measured and allowed to make an analysis of the cost for driving an electric bicycle. An environmental analysis (well-to-wheel) was made of the electric bicycles and put against the environmental impact of a thermal moped and an electric scooter.
Keywords: light electric vehicle, bicycle; energy consumption, vehicle performance, environment
1
Introduction
Light Electric Vehicles (LEV) form a group of promising alternative vehicles for both personal mobility and goods delivery. In particular, electric bicycles are becoming more and more popular in Western Europe. In the 1990s, when electric bicycles were introduced in Europe, the target group of these bicycles was mainly
References: J. Cappelle, et al. (2003). “Electrically assisted cycling around the world”, 20th International Electric Vehicle Symposium, EVS20 Conference Proceedings, November 15-19, 2003, Long Ph. Lataire, et al. (2003). “Electrically assisted bicycles: demonstration, characterisation, health F. E. Jamerson (2004). “Electric Bikes Worldwide Reports”, 7th Edition 2004. Wilson, the MIT Press, 2004. K. Gössel, et al (2001). “Contribution to Future Oriented Electric Drive Technology for Light press ; Hoboken, NJ, USA : Wiley-Interscience (John Wiley & sons), 2006, 190p. Moby Dick Verlag, 1997, 167S. [12] December 2005), pp