Seattle, Washington — South Seattle Community College, in partnership with the Seattle Electric Vehicle Association, is offering a number of non-credit electric vehicle classes, including a six-day Electric Vehicle Conversionworkshop. Taught by a group of experienced instructors who have converted over two dozen vehicles, the six-day workshop guides students through the complete process of converting a vehicle from a gasoline engine to electric power. By the end of the workshop, the group will have completed one running electric car conversion capable of highway speeds, with a 30-60 mile range on one charge.

Electric Vehicle Conversion Workshop
Instructor: Ed Stegall
An intensive six days hands-on learning class that teaches the basics in converting a gasoline engine to electric power.
8 am – 5 pm M T W Th F Sat March 22-27 $899

Additional non-credit Electric Vehicle classes:

Electric Vehicle Safety Systems
Instructor: Roger Wright
Learn how to keep your electric vehicle safe; how a DC system works, what parts go into it, and why you should have these parts.
9 – 11:30 am Sat February 27 $35
** Enrollment is still open for the February 27 class. **
6:30 – 9 pm T May 25 $35

Introduction to AC Drives for Electric Vehicles
Instructors: Dan Bentler and Frank Jump
Learn the advantages and disadvantages of DC and AC motors. Gain valuable insight and knowledge of how AC drives work and how to apply them to vehicles. Class will provide hands-on operating demonstrations of motors and variable-frequency drives and other motors using bench-top equipment VFDs.
9 am – 4 pm Sat April 24 $65
Electric Vehicle Component Technology for Conversion
Instructor: Cory Cross
Learn about what parts go into a conversion and how they connect to each other. Strong emphasis placed on learning to read schematics and understanding why the parts are connected that way.
6 – 9 pm Th May 13 $45

Electric Vehicles – Batteries
Instructor: Stephen Johnsen
Topics include: general overview of popular suitable batteries for EVs; comparison of costs and specs on various batteries available; calculating the kWhr rating of my pack; how to extend battery life; charging and recycling of batteries.
6:30 – 9 pm T May 18 $45

Electric Bicycles
Instructor: Ed Stegall
Go through the process of actually converting a normal bike to electric. Class also covers bike safety, bike laws and basic maintenance and tips for doing your own conversion on your own or with a kit.
Class fee of $99 includes two sessions.
6 – 9 pm Th June 3
9 am – 4 pm Sat June 5

Electric Vehicle classes fill quickly and interested students are encouraged to sign up early.

Register online at www.LearnAtSouth.org, or call (260) 764-5339 for more information.

South Seattle Community College
The college’s Continuing Education division offers 150 classes each quarter, ranging from computer skills to cooking to home repair. Designed to fit into busy schedules, these classes offer the lifelong learner variety and flexibility, with online and classroom instruction.

Seattle Electric Vehicle Association (SEVA)
The Seattle Electric Vehicle Association was founded in 1979, with a mission to educate, demonstrate, and proliferate electric vehicles. The interests of SEVA members represent a wide spectrum of Electric Vehicle interests range from fast dragsters to NEVs, from home conversions to Teslas. For more information, visit the website at
www.seattleeva.org.

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A funky little three-wheeled solar number called the Infinity Urban Commuter Trike aims to change the reason to ride an ebike. The description of “funky” is appropriate.

This is a concept e-trike.

Take a look and read the complete article:
Urban Commuter Trike Concept Is Solar Powered Funky

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The Cavalo, by Empowered Ebikes, is an electric tricycle. Color choices are red, white or blue.

The frame
One of the most innovative features on the Cavalo is the frame, which is articulated so that the rear wheels pivot as needed. This allows the trike to lean from side to side as if had only two wheels, which dramatically increases the handling characteristics and decreases the possibility of tipping over — a hazard with most three-wheelers.

The Cavalo has a low profile. The front wheel is 20″ in diameter, the rear wheels are 16″ each, which gives it a low center of gravity. The narrow stance of 22″ across the rear wheels makes it very nimble and easy to maneuver.

The handlebars are easy to reach and the seat is extra wide and comfortable. A lever on the handlebar locks the bike in an upright position for comfortable dismounting.

The Power
Another innovative feature on all Empowered Ebikes (not just the Cavallo tricycle) is the switch on the handlebars that allows the rider to choose one of three operating modes.

Mode 1 = Throttle Mode. The Cavalo operates with the throttle on the handlebar.

Mode 2 = Pedal Assist Mode. The Cavalo operates by turning the pedals. The faster the rider turns the pedals, the more assist power is applied to the front wheel.

Mode 3 = Electric Assist Off. The Cavalo operates like a normal bike in which the rider does all the pedaling.

The Performance
For safety, the top speed of the Cavalo is limited to 14 miles per hour. The trike responds without hesitation…even with an extra heavy load of 110 lbs in the rear basket, it will get up to speed quickly.

The range of the Cavalo is approximately 20 miles, but this can be doubled or tripled by the amount of pedaling the rider does.

Front cantilever and rear drum brakes offer more than sufficient braking power. There is also a parking brake which will prevent the trike from rolling away.

Other features

The Battery
The battery is located over the rear axle center line, between the rear wheels, thus providing the Cavalo with a low center of gravity. The battery is well protected and yet easily accessible. The removeable 36v LiMn battery can be locked in place for added security. Thirty-six volt front lights and a built in battery level indicator are standard.

The Motor
The 350 Watt brushless motor is located in the front wheel hub.

The Riders
Young and old alike will enjoy the Cavallo, indeed anyone who has a need to carry the extras that the two large baskets offer, while still getting in a bit of exercise!

The Nitty Gritty
Weight - 77lbs (35kgs)
Battery type – 36v Li-MnO2 (LiMn) -This is the most common consumer grade battery, about 80% of the lithium battery market today uses these materials.
Battery life – 1000 recharge cycles, Suitable for moderate drain, long-life, repeated charging cycles. High energy density per both mass and volume. Can deliver high pulse currents. Wide temperature range. With discharge the internal impedance rises and the terminal voltage decreases. Maximum temperature limited to about 60 °C. High self-discharge at high temperatures
Charge time – 3 – 6 hours (depending on previous state of charge)
Motor type & size – Brushless Hub Motor – 350 Watt
Maximum speed - 20 Miles Per Hour ( Speed Regulated by law )
Available Sizes – All the same

Check out the Cavalo at Empowered Ebikes today.

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The Biquattro is still at the concept stage.

Conceived of as a hybrid ‘bike-car,’ the Biquattro is a two-wheeler that can change into a four-wheeler. On two wheels, it allows plenty of room for passing pedestrians, motorists and other bikers. When a loading surface is needed to deposit shopping bags, luggage, etc., though, the back wheels can be split into two and opened up to create 150 liters (40 gallons) worth of trunk space (more than that of either the Mini and the Smartcar.) The versatility of the design means the convenience of the car without pollution or parking problems.

See the complete article at: Biquattro Concept: The SUV of Electric Bicycles?

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There’s more to the green revolution than just e-bikes. Three-wheeled bikes are gaining popularity as well, indeed, the market is growing faster than that for cars and trucks.

Indeed, three wheel bikes (two in the back, one in the front) come in a variety of styles, regular trikes for senior citizens or other people without a good sense of balance, and the smaller, more mobile versions such as the Segway.

See the complete article which discusses these at Tricycles for adults.

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