Reveals important techniques, data, and examples that allow readers to judge various propulsion setups used in both home and factory made bikes and estimate speed and travel distance for each. This text includes numerous charts that present the costs, benefits, and trade offs between both commercial and user converted models.

Design or build a battery-powered electric bicycle

For much of the world, bicycles are a transportation mainstay. Electric bicycles——powered by a rechargeable battery pack——are proven to deliver the highest possible energy efficiency, even compared to pedal bikes. A transportation alternative to fossil fuels, electric bicycles are fast catching on, in part because they don't require factory assembly. End-users can easily construct them with available components.

The text reveals important techniques, data, and examples that allow readers to judge various propulsion setups——used in both home- and factory-made bikes——and estimate speed and travel distance for each. Numerous charts clearly present the costs, benefits, and trade-offs between both commercial and user-converted models.

Key features include:

• Estimating motor-performance for wind, hill, and cruising power requirements
• Estimating battery capacity and a thorough description of battery charging
• Motor and motor-control options
• Evaluating motor-to-wheel coupling options
• Placement of propulsion components
• Configurations and performance
• How systems-engineering techniques can produce electric-bicycle designs that have long travel range and low life-cycle cost
• Testing
• Developments to watch

A comprehensive resource for harnessing innovation, Electric Bicycles is the definitive practical guide to taking full advantage of this exciting alternative energy technology.

Design or build a battery-powered electric bicycle

For much of the world, bicycles are a transportation mainstay. Electric bicycles--powered by a rechargeable battery pack--are proven to deliver the highest possible energy efficiency, even compared to pedal bikes. A transportation alternative to fossil fuels, electric bicycles are fast catching on, in part because they don't require factory assembly. End-users can easily construct them with available components.

The text reveals important techniques, data, and examples that allow readers to judge various propulsion setups--used in both home- and factory-made bikes--and estimate speed and travel distance for each. Numerous charts clearly present the costs, benefits, and trade-offs between both commercial and user-converted models.

Key features include:

• Estimating motor-performance for wind, hill, and cruising power requirements
• Estimating battery capacity and a thorough description of battery charging
• Motor and motor-control options
• Evaluating motor-to-wheel coupling options
• Placement of propulsion components
• Configurations and performance
• How systems-engineering techniques can produce electric-bicycle designs that have long travel range and low life-cycle cost
• Testing
• Developments to watch

A comprehensive resource for harnessing innovation, Electric Bicycles is the definitive practical guide to taking full advantage of this exciting alternative energy technology.