History of Electric Biking
Electric bikes are gaining popularity in the recent times. However, similar to any other invention, electric bike also has got a rich history behind it. It has been estimated that there are around 120 million electronic bike users in China. The use of this bike is slowly increasing.
A quick look at the history:
The actual design of these bikes consists of the frame of the traditional bikes, which can be with pedals or without the pedals. This design also consists of the addition of a small sized electric motor, which is powered with the help of batteries which are rechargeable. There was one design of the electric bike from the 1980’s, which came with a charging solar power station. The first commercial electric bike appeared during 1997. Yamaha and Panasonic are the largest manufacturer of electronic bikes.
As the battery technology evolved, the batteries became much more portable and lightweight and also more efficient than they were 100 years back. However, the technology of the battery still continues to evolve.
The previous power to weight ratio issue has been solved in the recent times for the electric bikes. The carbon frames help to bring a reduction in the overall weight of the bike.
Electronic bikes have got a much greater appeal as they are beneficial for the environment as there are no emissions from these bikes, which may be harmful for the environment. Electric bikes are friendlier to the environment compared to the present day transportation. Smaller sized motors for these bikes are of great appeal. However, with the technology evolving, one can hope for more efficient electric bikes in the future.
A quick look at the history:
- Gustave Trouve, from France, intended to carry out the experiment with electric drive. For the experiment, he chose to use the British Starley Coventry Lever Tricycle, which is a tricycle.
- This was produced during 1877 and 1887. During 1881, these models were upgraded to a much more modern pedal rotary drive by the Coventry factory. This made the previous models much less expensive on the market of used bicycle. The Graffigny tricycle is another honorable mention when it comes to the history of electric bicycles. The pedal bikes were considered to be more efficient and this was because of the low weight to the power ratio. However, the engineers and inventors were much more enthusiastic to seek for the patent of the electric bikes. Another notable mention is the US patent of 1895 Bolton Jr’s 6 commutator hub motor and 6 pole brush and also the Libby of Boston, which was the crankset axle set in double electric motor. The batteries for all these electric bikes are heavy. The battery technology was to develop over the course of the next 100 years.
- The techno revolution of 1990 led Japan to file a patent during 1997 and this was for a device which came with feedback loops and addition of the electronic motor to the bike. The feedback loop worked along with the torque sensors of the bike with the help of the power control. This was known as Zike and it closely resembled the present day electric bike
The actual design of these bikes consists of the frame of the traditional bikes, which can be with pedals or without the pedals. This design also consists of the addition of a small sized electric motor, which is powered with the help of batteries which are rechargeable. There was one design of the electric bike from the 1980’s, which came with a charging solar power station. The first commercial electric bike appeared during 1997. Yamaha and Panasonic are the largest manufacturer of electronic bikes.
As the battery technology evolved, the batteries became much more portable and lightweight and also more efficient than they were 100 years back. However, the technology of the battery still continues to evolve.
The previous power to weight ratio issue has been solved in the recent times for the electric bikes. The carbon frames help to bring a reduction in the overall weight of the bike.
Electronic bikes have got a much greater appeal as they are beneficial for the environment as there are no emissions from these bikes, which may be harmful for the environment. Electric bikes are friendlier to the environment compared to the present day transportation. Smaller sized motors for these bikes are of great appeal. However, with the technology evolving, one can hope for more efficient electric bikes in the future.
RSS Feed
