Santa Cruz, California — The Santa Cruz, California-based company, Zero, has recently debuted its new Zero-X Electric Motorcycle, the result of years of work by Neal Saiki, founder, and inventor of the new e-cycle. Saiki is a former NASA engineer.

The overall design of the frame and plastic of the Zero-X is revolutionary, according to its reviewers from Dirt Rider, who also comment that the layout of the electric motor is innovative as well.

The bike is powered by a proprietary lithium-ion rechargeable power pack, and has an aircraft-grade aluminum frame and swingarm. There is also a massive power module cradled in the center of the frame – which weighs 45 pounds and taking up most of the room in the motor area.

To start the bike, you simpy turn the key, flip the on/off switch to “on” and then wait about 0.562 seconds for the green light to come on.

Because the bike is silent, it is easy to forget it’s on. Flick the throttle and the cycle moves forward immediately, with no hesitation.

The Zero-X’s has a 20 horsepower engine. A test rider was able to climb Glen Helen’s famed Mount St. Helens with little trouble. There are two switches behind the handlebar-that can  alter the Zero-X’s power. According to the reviewer, the “hit” switch doesn’t seem to make a massive difference, but the “low” setting makes the overall speed of the electric motorcycle much mellower. You have to toggle the key to go from low to high, which is a good safety feature.

The test rider pointed out that compared to a full-size 250, the Zero-X is fragile, but that’s because you’re contrasting it with a big bike. In relation to a mountain bike, though, this motorcycle is quite strong.

You truly have to ride it like a bicycle – that means no blatantly hard landings and no slamming into things; you have to use finesse to ride the bike. At 151 pounds, the Zero-X is about all that the mountain bike-style fork and shock combo can take, and the entire chassis takes on a nimble, flickable feel in the dirt. Although not as stable as some would like, the lightweight feel of the machine certainly is a benefit to the power-to-weight ratio, and though the Zero-X can’t take super-hard hits or big drops, it is still capable for mild trail scenarios.

It takes a while to get used to the layout of the bike. With two hand brakes and a throttle being the extent of the controls, there’s no need for your feet to do anything.

Some components-the chain guide, for instance-are low, obtrusive and simply not designed for serious off-road use (but then again, neither was the bike).  The brakes are yet another mountain bike-inspired part and do a good job of stopping the bike when new, though Dirt Rider reviewers have heard from customers who bought this bike in late ‘08 that the pads wear out almost immediately.

It was the battery duration that would be extremely important.

The testers ran three batteries out at the Zero-X intro, and they all died in different fashions.

One battery slowly grew weaker and chugged to a stop, another felt as though it operated at one-third power forever and then fell out, and yet another battery dropped dead like someone had turned the key off. This variation is most likely because the speed with which the battery runs out, much like a tank of gas, is dependent on which mode you are in and how hard you are on the throttle.

Swapping out a battery with a replacement takes less than three minutes, but an extra batter costs $2950 (plus shipping) for the replacement.

Otherwise, it takes about two and a half hours to recharge the battery.

Right now, the major competitor to the Zero is the Quantya electric bike.

Specifications
MSRP: $7750
Claimed Weight (with battery): 151 lb
Fuel Capacity: None.

Source:
DirtRider.com

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

London, England — the gocycle is a brand new, sleek electric bike. It is a”a revolutionary, lightweight electric two-wheeler designed to shake up the urban cycling industry with its sleek design and pioneering technology.”

Helen Pidd tests the new Gocycle electric bicycle. Photograph: Martin Godwin

The gocycle is like any other bicycle, except it has a red button on the left handebar. That triggers the electricity, and the bike quietly continues on without benefit of pedaling.

The Gocycle manufacturers note that riders can obtain 20 miles out of a single battery charge.

When the battery does die, the bicycle still functions, of course.

It takes three hours to recharge the battery, by simply plugging it into the mains (or an outlet, as they say in the U.S..

Cost: £1198 – but it could be £599 if bought using a voucher from the government’s Cycle to Work Scheme

Pros: Powers ther rider up even steep hills. The bike can be taken to bits quite easily and transported in a carry case.

Cons: Too heavy for carrying up or down stairs very often. With its price tag, fear of theft is a big concern.

Links: gocycle.com

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Denver, Colorado — If you fit a couple of simple criteria, an electric bicycle mighthelp you make ends meet in these tough economic times.

Bruce Campbell of Green Machines, Inc. proudly shows off the IZIP electric bike.

Work downtown? Pay to park and live within 10 miles of your office? Exchange the car for en electric bike and you can save the $200 to $300 a month you spend on parking and gas. Over the course of three or four months – your ebike will have paid for itself.

There are a few ebike retailers in the metro area including Bird RV in Aurora, the Electric Bike Shop in Castle Rock, Green Machines in Edgewater, as well as Boulder and Longmont.

“You have two different modes of propulsion,” explained Bruce Campbel, owner of Green Machines (5217 W. 25th Ave). “On some models you can go on power alone, without having to pedal, or you have the choice of pedaling and using less power. Other models you have to pedal but as soon as you start a sensor notices the motion and assists you.”

“It’ll go 13 to 15 mph under it’s own power, which is a fairly typical bicycle speed,” he said. “Right now I am only selling new bikes that are all electric. I do have some used bikes for resale.” Campbell accepts bike donations as well and fixes them up, donating any proceeds to charity. “It’s more of a charitable contribution to the recycling effort – just to try and stay green.”

The new bikes come in a range of models and power levels starting with the IZIP, which retails for $499 plus shipping and taxes. “The mid-range is roughly $799 to $875 and the high end is from about $1,799 up to $3,000 for the real top of the line. It’s a monster – a really great bike.”

For people with medical conditions that limit their abilities, the hybrids are a dream come true.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Beijing, China — Peter Stevens, the UK’s top car designer, believes China’s future will be in driving electric cars.

Stevens knows whereof he speaks – he created race cars for companies such as Lamborghini and Lotus. He came to Beijing as part of the British Embassy’s campaign to introduce UK skills to China.

By the end of 2009, the Chinese company BYD, which produces 65% of the world’s nickel-cadmium batteries, is planning to develop an environmentally-sound electric car. Indeed, China intends to become the world’s largest producer of electric cars by 2011, manufacturing up to 500,000 units a year.

The Chinese government will contribute up to 80 percent towards the cost, which normally costs around 70,000 yuan, available for buyers at just 10,000 yuan.

With this new government scheme the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers expects car sales in the country to reach up to 10 million this year and overtake the United States.

Warren Buffet, according to the Caijing magazine, recently bought 9.89 percent share of BYD for HK$1.8 billion. Because of that and other developments, experts believe China has the potential to become the world’s largest producer of electric cars in the near future.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

China’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is subsidizing a wide selection of electric bikes, including one they call a bike which is obviously a scooter – since it has no pedals. These pedal-less models go as fast as 40kph

Until Nov. 30 2010, residents of China who purchase an electric bike — with or without pedals — can apply for a one-time NT$3,000 subsidy from the EPA, officials said.

The EPA has given the subsidy to more than 36,000 owners of electric bicycles since 2001, said Yang Ching-shi, ­director-general of the EPA’s department of air quality protection and noise control.

With the new pedal-less models, the EPA expects to subsidize an additional 5,000 bicyclists each year, he said.

Although the pedal-bicycles are in actuality “light weight motorcycles”, operators will not need a license.

Consumers should consider buying an electric bike now, because the pedal-less models cost around NT$25,000 or NT$26,000, so the subsidy would mean a 10 percent discount, Yang said.

“The discount will be given at retailers, so consumers will be able to enjoy the benefits immediately. The retailers will then apply for the subsidy with us,” he said.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The electric bike is expected to become a  ”mainstream product” in 2009.

2008’s faltering economic outlook and sky-high fuel prices provided a boost for the segment because of increased consumer awareness and interest.

The LEV (light electric vehicles), including electric bicycles, will also be one of the focal points at Taipei Cycle 2009, a trade show in China.

The e-Bike industry is looking forward to the introduction of the new EN 15194 standard for ‘Electronically Power Assisted Cycles’ (EPAC). This will take place on April 30 , 2009.

Here is the complete EPAC implementation time table.

• January 14th, 2009 was the date when the definitive text for EN 15194 was sent to all European National Standards Bodies and was accepted by them.
• Sixth month after the acceptance of the definitive text all European National Standards Bodies will have implemented the standard as national standard and any previous national standards shall be withdrawn before this date. This date is July 31st 2009.
• The date of announcement by which the standard shall go into force is April 30th, 2009. The standard will be announced by the European National Standards Bodies and the text of the complete EN 15194 standard for ‘Electronically Power Assisted Cycles’ (EPAC) will be available at the National Standards Bodies in the various European countries.

The implementation of the CE standard varies by country. In some European countries the CE standard is compulsory by law, while in other countries it is just a part of the European product safety ruling.

At Taipei Cycle an E-Bike Forum was held in Conference Room 402 at the TWTC Nangang Exhibition Hall 4F on March 18, the show’s second day. At all days of the Taipei Cycle show, the ExtraEnergy Test track was open for test rides on electric bikes and scooters of various manufacturers. Just like last year, the test course included a spectacular 100m long incline to feel the real benefit of an electric bike.

EnergyBus and BATSO were both present at a joint booth with ITRI. Interested industry representatives could make appointments here for private meetings on both items.

A 2-hour information session on each, EnergyBus and BATSO, were planned for March 19, 2009.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

The world’s first all-electric 24-hour endurance motocross race  will be held held in California on April 4, 2009

This is just one in a long line of upcoming “zero emissions events.” For example the world is looking for ward to the zero-emissions TT Grand Prix on the Isle of Man in June.

Off-road specialists Zero Motorcycles are gearing up for the race, which will be held at San Jose’s 408MX Motocross Track. Since this is the first time for such a race, a lot of world records will be set.  Ah, but how long will they last?

Zero’s own ‘X’ – a 150-pound, 23hp, 50 ft-lbs motocrosser with an advanced lithium battery pack that can deliver up to 2 hours of power will be featured. The bike costs USD$7,750 shipped to your door, and additional battery packs, which charge in less than 2 hours, are just under USD$3,000.

It’s a little more expensive than a regular gasoline-powered 250, but then it basically requires no servicing, and can be upgraded with new batteries and software any time they become available. It’s also virtually silent.

Source: Gizmag.com

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

There’s a company called KLD, in Austin Texas, that is producing motors for scooters, that are now being produced and used on the roads of Vietnam.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

The city of Cardiff has been selected to become Wales’ first “sustainable travel town” by the assembly government.

The scheme, which is estimated to cost about £28.5m, aims to provide free cycle hire, bus travel around the city centre, and improved bike and walking routes. Funding will be dispersed from various sources over the next two years.

If the scheme is successful, it could be repeated in other areas of Wales.

The plans will see free circular bus shuttles introduced in the city centre, a free bike hire scheme, new park and ride facilities in Pentwyn to serve the east side of the city and measures to tackle congestion. THere will also be a pedestrian and cycle bridge across the Ely river between Cardiff’s sports village and Penarth.

Commuter levels in and around Cardiff have increased significantly over the past few years. 210,000 people travel into the city on a daily basis, and the goal of course is to reduce their carbon footprint.

Improvements to the infrastructure will include better bus lanes and the future pedestrianisation of High Street and St Mary Street.

There will also be incentives to travel sustainably, car clubs, journey sharing schemes and free bike hire.

“We have become far too reliant on using the car and we need to consider alternative, greener ways to travel,” said Jane Davidson, minister for the environment and sustainability.

The Welsh are following the lead that the city of Copenhagen took a decade ago, when their car traffic was the same as what Cardiff has now. “Now, over a third of all commuting journeys in the Danish capital are by bike. Cardiff has the potential to achieve the same. “

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

UK — Bicycle and electric bicycle (e-bike) share programs are increasing in popularity. It’s widely done in Europe, and the US is following the lead in big cities such as New York, San Francisco, and LA.

Citybyke is an automated system for renting and returning e-bikes that utilizes an ATM-like kiosk/charging station that controls a bank of bicycles.

You go to a kiosk to rent a bike (with a credit card or member card). You’re given a PIN number that you use at the docking station to release the bike. You then return the bike to any kiosk station in the area and plug the bike back into an empty docking station, which ends your rental.

Currently, Citybyke is only available in the UK . Memberships start at two pounds per day. The local partner company, Share Limited, manages the kiosks.

The Bike

The Citybyke system uses a proprietary bicycle — only it can be placed on its docking station. They make extensive use of fairings and enclosed components to keep any moving parts from being exposed as well as to prevent theft of bicycle parts. The bikes are built in module fashion, so that portions can be removed and replaced quickly, which will allow for localized requirements like lights or reflectors to be added.

Source: Citybye

Resource: Zoomilife

Bookmark It

Hide Sites