When someone hears electric bicycle, the first image they imagine may be a scooter or electric motorcycle - but they actually look pretty different. Just picture a regular bicycle, then add several electrical components to it like a motor, a battery, and a controller – all seamlessly integrated into the design. These items make up the fundamentals of all electric bicycles on the market!
Electric bikes pedal and handle just like a regular bicycle. By and large, an electric bike will use the same parts too. The electric component is meant to augment human power, not completely replace it. It makes obstacles like hills and headwind more manageable and allows you to travel further without getting as tired.
See our diagram for a more detailed look at how electric bikes work including the motor, battery, drivetrain, and charging process:
Comfort and quality of the components are still as important on an electric bike as they are on a regular bicycle. But now, there are a few more things you need to consider.
Electric bike motors come in a wide variety of power ratings, from 200W to 1,000W or more. The legal limit in the US is 750W, although different states can set their own limits.
Think of this limit kind of like horsepower. A higher rating means that the bike will be able to pull more weight with greater ease – but at the expense of using more battery capacity while doing so. Consequently, a 750W motor will drain the battery much quicker than a 250W one, but it will be more powerful.
One more factor needs to be considered, however. The design and location of the motor plays an important role in how electric bikes work.
The most common type of motor for electric bikes is called a hub motor. It is generally integrated into the rear or front wheel. When engaged, it pulls or pushes the wheel along. Although this system works well, it has one key disadvantage. Since it is not connected to the bike’s gears, it loses efficiency on hills and varied terrain. Imagine driving a vehicle in just one gear the entire day. It will get you places, but it won’t give you the optimum amount of torque or speed that you get with a full gear range.
At EVELO, we offer a patented mid-drive motor, which is integrated with the crank and the gears. This adds several advantages:
Increased performance while spending less battery energy, since the mid-drive motor uses the bike’s existing gears;
Much better hill climbing power, since you can switch gears depending on the incline; and
Handling is improved, since the motor is positioned closer to the ground, keeping the weight centered and low.
Since the battery affects the weight, style, and range of the bike, its choice is crucial. Batteries play a huge part in how electric bikes work. The majority of the batteries you’ll find offered on the market fall into one of the following two categories:
These batteries were once the standard battery type for most electric scooters and electric bicycles. These days, most electric scooters still use SLA batteries, while electric bikes (which often require human input) have opted for newer battery technologies to keep the bike as lightweight as possible.
Inexpensive
Heavy and bulky
Offer a shorter riding range
Shorter life span of about 100-300 full cycle charges
Require more maintenance, and need to be charged immediately after use
These are the newest technology in batteries. A lithium battery has a lifetime roughly 2-3 times that of an SLA battery. Lithium batteries are much lighter and also are largely maintenance-free.
Lightweight – high-capacity, 36V10Ah Lithium-Polymer batteries can weigh as little as 6 pounds!
Offer a longer riding range – battery can travel up to 40 miles in pedal-assist mode (or 20 miles on throttle-only).
Longer life span of about 800 charges or 3 years of virtually daily use
More expensive – starting at about $1,500 to $3,000 and above
Available in a variety of styles, the controller lets you operate the electric assistance on your electric bike and is an important part in how electric bikes work. The controller is located on the handlebar for ease of use. There are two main styles of controllers – pedal-activated and throttle-based controllers.
Pedal-activated systems offer electric assistance as you press down on the pedals. There is no need to engage a throttle – simple pedaling will do the trick. Electric bikes with pedal-activated systems have a controller mounted on the handlebar that lets you adjust the level of assistance that you receive as you pedal. You can dial in the amount of assistance you want, ranging from no assistance to a great deal of assistance.
Throttle-based controllers work with a simple throttle mechanism. The throttle will either be a twist-grip type or a thumb-press type. With a throttle, you simply pull back or press the throttle to receive the electric assistance. Some electric bikes require nothing more than activating the throttle, allowing you to ride without pedaling.
By and large, electric bikes are simple to use, ride, and maintain. Overall, they require little maintenance beyond that which a standard bike requires.
Electric bicycles are designed to be very easy to operate. As a rider, you have three modes of operation available to you:
At any time, you can pedal an electric bicycle just as you would with a regular one. There is no extra resistance created by the motor, so it will feel exactly as a regular bicycle would. Depending on the model you purchase, your bicycle will come either with a 3 gears or 8 gears or a special NuVinci® N360™ internal drivetrain that provides you with unlimited gears.
In this mode, you can take advantage of combined human plus electric power. Once you turn on this mode via the on/off button on the handlebars, the motor will gently provide electric power as you pedal. You can still switch gears as the terrain changes to take advantage of more torque or faster speed. It’s an amazing feeling to use pedal-assist mode, as it makes cycling effortless, flattens out the hills, and frees you to just enjoy yourself and the scenery.
Pedal-assist mode provides three levels of assistance: Low (30%), Medium (60%) and High (100%). The percentage simply indicates how much additional power the motor will provide to complement your pedaling. The low setting adds an additional 30% of power to your pedaling, while High essentially doubles it. A simple press of a button switches you through the different levels.
This mode of operation allows you to sit back and take a break, as you let the motor do the work. To use “electric only” mode, simply twist the throttle located on the left handlebar and you’ll feel the motor kick in and propel you forward. Keep the throttle turned to continue along or let go if you’re ready to start pedaling or wish to come to a stop. Please note that due to Federal regulations, the top speed in electric-only mode is limited to 20 miles per hour.
Electric bikes are still a fairly new concept in the US, so there is a lot of confusion about how the law views them. Federal law considers electric bicycles in the class as regular bicycles, provided they meet two conditions: (1) the top speed in “electric only” mode is 20 miles per hour; and (2) the motor power must be no more than 750W.
EVELO electric bicycles meet both of the federal requirements. We cap the top speed in “electric only” mode at 20 miles per hour, although you can of course go faster on your bike with pedal power if you wish. Our motors are rated at 250W, which is well within federal limits.
Consequently, electric bikes do not need a special registration, license, or insurance to operate. Moreover, they enjoy the same privileges as regular bicycles, such as being allowed to travel in available bike lanes.
However, different states have their own special requirements regarding electric bike use. While most follow the federal lead, some do vary. If you have questions about how electric bikes work in your state, you can get in touch with us and we’ll point you in the direction to find out additional information for your state. For your own personal safety, we recommend helmet use and lights and reflecting gear, even if the law does not specifically require them.
The last few years you hear about it more often, electric vehicles. Also in African countries they get more and more popular. Here in Kenya,we designed an electric motorcycle specially created for African roads. Efficient, but strong. Sustainable, but powerful. With a robust design and a swappable battery, our electric motorcycle is suitable for riding in the busy traffic of the city, as well as off-road. And all this in a clean and eco-friendly way.
The Kenyan government has set the goal to have 5% of registered vehicles to be electric by 2025.We think that’s great! By making the technology more cost-efficient and simplifying deployment, we make electric transport more accessible to a broader market. Because we make electric driving accessible for the mass market, we focus on the largest group: public transport in East Africa. One of the most common forms of transport in East African countries are the boda bodas, the motorcycles used to go quickly from Point A to Point B in busy traffic.
But what are the advantages of an electric motorcycle? And why do youwant to exchange your polluting, inefficient fossil fueled motorcycle for a more sustainable electric one? We have listed 10 good reasons why you would rather switch to electric driving today!
Save money! Definitely one of the best reasons to start driving an electric motorcycle. And it might be more affordable than you think.The purchase of an electric motorcycle is an investment that pays off over the years of use. Driving an electric motorcycle can save you 50%on running costs. But how does it work?
First of all, the electric motorcycle is powered by a rechargeable battery instead of petrol. If we look at the energy source of the motorcycles and list the costs per 10 km, with a fossil fueled motorcycle you consume around $0.25 per 10 km and with our electric motorcycle around $0.08 per 10 km. By using our electric motorcycle, you already save 68% on fuel costs!Imagine taking a trip with your brand new electric motorcycle of 30 km from The Village Market in Gigiri to the SGR station in Nairobi, you will save up to $0.51. Repeat this trip ten times, and you've already saved more than $5!
Of course any motorcycle, electric or not, require some maintenance. For example, the tires and brake pads. These parts all need to be monitored and replaced once in a while. The advantage of an electric motorcycle is that it only has one moving part: the electric motor.This means our motorcycle is full electric and has no oil, no spark plugs, no air filter, and no timing belts. It also doesn't have a gearbox or clutch, which are often the most expensive parts on a motorcycle to be replaced. Conclusion: over the years you save a lot of money on maintenance with our electric motorcycle.
It has not gone unnoticed that we are dealing with environmental pollution. During the social distancing measurements to reduce COVID-19 in 2020, the pollution reduced so much that suddenly Mount Kenya was visible from Nairobi, the second-highest mountain in Africa and highest mountain in Kenya.Some Kenyans even say they spotted the highest mountain of Africa,Mount Kilimanjaro, from the capital city.
The growing concern and fear of greenhouse gas emissions and accompanying climate change are significant concerns for forward-thinking businesses such as Opibus. According to Knoema indicators, the CO2 emission in Kenya in 2019 was 0.38 tons per capita. Since road transport by average passengers is one of the significant sources of CO2 emissions, it is hard to argue that electric motorcycles would not make an immediate improvement if implemented nationwide. Especially because boda bodas, the motorbike taxis,contribute to the highest percentage of intercity transport in East Africa.
As said before, the Kenyan government has set the goal to increase 5% of the registered vehicles to be electric by 2025. There is an increasing consensus among national policymakers and responsible business people to move towards a low-carbon future in Kenya. It is time to consider both the social and environmental repercussions of not opting for electric motorcycles.
Our electric motorcycles do not produce any emissions because the battery can be charged with renewable energy from the grid or even straight from a solar system. This means the motorcycle has no fumes and there is virtually no CO2 emissions while driving. In general, fossil fueled motorcycles transmit 10g of CO2 per 10 km. Our electric motorcycle emits 0.3g CO2 per 10 km. This means a reduction of 97%!
From well-built roads, to off-road dirt paths, potholes and muddy alleys,the African roads are diverse and full of surprises, so you never know what you’ll come across. You want to make sure that your electric motorcycle can withstand all of these conditions and take you anywhere you want. The robust design and a frame made of ultra-tough steel, ensures our motorcycle can go through all terrains. The motorcycle has been tested in extreme conditions to make sure that repairs are kept to a minimum without compromising on performance.
Driving in East African cities, like Nairobi, Mombasa and Kampala, a few miles sometimes can take hours to travel. Nothing gives you a better feeling than leaving the crowd behind and skillfully riding your electric motorcycle through the busy traffic. With an electric motorcycle, changing gears is no longer necessary, which means you only have to focus on what is happening all around you. The instant torque and rapid acceleration of the electric motorcycle makes it easy to adapt to traffic and react quickly to your environment. Soon you will leave the busy traffic behind, and you will reach your destination in no time!
Besides environmental pollution from greenhouse gas emissions, we also have to deal with noise pollution. Nairobi is exposed to 86.3± 9.6 dB of noise pollution contributed by public service vehicles, like matatus and boda bodas (the busses and motorbike taxi’s in East Africa). Car horns,yelling, and gasoline-filled cars polluting the atmosphere, all contribute to a less-than-pleasant commute experience. When you invest in an electric motorcycle, you do your part in reducing the chaos.
Electric motorcycles produce almost no sounds. They are very quiet and make virtually no noise. The sound of the electric engine can hardly be heard and the only sound that the electric motorcycle gives off is the tires running over the roads.
Is your battery running low while driving? Not a problem, our swappable battery allows you to swap your empty battery for a fully charged one within 10 seconds!You can continue your trip without interruption, extending your range, and making it possible to bring your battery inside to charge.During long rides you can bring an extra battery with you which can be swapped at home or at the office.
Our electric motorcycle has two large removable batteries. The intelligent battery management system that the batteries are connected to makes sure it output the right power at the right time.The range of the electric motorcycle is 160 km. Every battery provides a range of 80 km. Of course the range depends on a couple of things, such as the terrain, rate of acceleration, and the tire pressure, but this isn’t any different compared to a conventional motorcycle.
A portable charger is included with the purchase of our electric motorcycle. You can take this charger everywhere with you, to charge your batteries at any AC outlet. It can be plugged into any 230 /240V AC socket in your home, at the office or in public facilities,and it will take less than 4 hours for the portable charger to fully charge 1 battery!
Some riders need the thrill of speed. Others want to get from Point A to Point B in the shortest amount of time possible. Whatever your wants and needs, electric motorcycles outrank traditional motorcycles in torque and power. Riders can expect 100 percent instant torque and rapid acceleration for freeway driving. No conventional motorcycle can compare to this performance.
In the middle of the busy traffic of the city, you have to brake and accelerate a lot to keep up with the traffic. Fortunately, you don't have to shift gears with an electric motorcycle. All you have to do is accelerate and brake, which makes driving in the busy traffic of the city a lot more pleasant! Perhaps you are under the impression torque is scary, but electric motorcycle torque and power are linear and give a relatively smooth acceleration. With the speed of the instant torque and rapid acceleration, the motorcycle is perfect for city and off-road riding.
You don’t have that much experience in how to drive a motorbike yet?That’s not a problem with our electric motorcycle! It is super easy to ride, and we are convinced everyone can do it. Since you don't have to shift gears on our electric motorcycle, you just have to switch it on and ride. This gives you the chance to focus more on the environment and less on how to ride the motorcycle.
We want to make electric transport more accessible to a broader market,such as the public transport, and it was our goal to create a cheap and low-cost motorcycle. We have not only taken the costumer into account, but we also make use of local production and local assembly for our motorcycles. That’s why we say: Designed in Kenya, for Africa!
Are you excited and do you also want to switch to electric? You can find more information about the electric motorcycle and the prices on our motorcycle page! On this page, you can pre-order your electric motorcycle, and in a few months you’ll enjoy all the benefits of riding electric.