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A Pedelec (from pedal electric cycle) or EPAC ( electronically power assisted cycle), is a type of low-powered electric bicycle where the rider's pedalling is assisted by a small electric motor. However, unlike some other types of e-bikes, pedelecs are classified as conventional bicycles in many countries by road authorities rather than as a type of electric moped. Pedelecs have an electronic controller that cuts power to the motor when the rider is not pedalling or when a certain speed – usually or – is reached. Pedelecs are useful for people who ride in hilly areas or in strong . While a pedelec can be any type of bicycle, a pedelec city bike is common. A conventional bicycle can be converted to a pedelec with the addition of the necessary parts, e.g., motor, battery, etc.
Many jurisdictions classify pedelecs as bicycles as opposed to or motorcycles. More powerful , such as the S-Pedelecs and power-on-demand e-bikes (those whose motors can provide assistance regardless of whether the rider is pedalling) are often classified as mopeds or even motorcycles with the rider thus subject to the regulations of such motor vehicles, e.g., having a license and a vehicle registration, wearing a helmet, etc.
In 1989, Michael Kutter, founder of the Swiss company Velocity and later Dolphin E-bikes, designed and produced his first pedelec prototype. The first market-ready models from Velocity were available in 1992, later under the name Dolphin.
In 1995 the Swiss company BKTech sold its first model under the name Flyer. After some years, the name Flyer became a synonym for e-bikes in Switzerland due to heavy promotion initially in senior-citizen and tourist rental markets.
In 1997, Alan Abbott co-founded a company to sell the first pedelec in the US, under the name Charger. He had already co-developed the pedelec principle in 1988, but then used a gasoline engine, as his motivation wasn't mainly environmental, but to promote exercise.
Up to 2018, the Canadian company BioniX produced an easy-to-install pedelec kit with a gearless hub motor complete with rear wheel, that also became popular in Europe.
there were about 600,000 pedelecs on the road in Germany. Growth has been spectacular: the year before, 310,000–340,000 pedelecs were sold in Germany and this in turn was 55% more than in 2010. In fact, in Germany sales have gone up by more than 30% every year since 2008. In comparison, there were around 70 million conventional [[bicycle]]s in Germany in 2011 according to ZIV, the German Bicycle Industry Association.
About 95% of all in Germany are in fact pedelecs.
ADAC, the German automotive club, tested a large number of pedelecs in 2013, where about 56% of the pedelecs failed the test with a score lower than reasonable due to unsatisfactory safety and durability.
If any of these rules is not followed, the vehicle is classified as either e-bike or S-Pedelec which require a license plate and insurance, or as a motorbike which also requires a driving license.
To be such electric vehicles not classified as motor vehicle but as Fahrrad (= bicycle) according to § 2 paragraph 1 number 22 lit. b and d Road Traffic Act 1960 (StVO 1960) Straßenverkehrsordnung 1960 – StVO 1960 (in German) Federal law consolidated: Entire law for Road Traffic Act 1960 in the actual version. Rechtsinformationssystem des Bundes. Retrieved September 6, 2019. in conjunction with § 1 paragraph 2a Motor Vehicle Law 1967 (KFG 1967) Kraftfahrgesetz 1967 – KFG 1967 (in German) Federal law consolidated: Entire legal provision for Motor Vehicle Law 1967. Rechtsinformationssystem des Bundes. Retrieved September 6, 2019. two types of electric bikes can be distinguished:
The above named § 1 paragraph 2a KFG 1967 defines as follows:
As for normal (only muscle powered) bikes, also for electric bikes, the provisions of bicycle Regulation, for the control of these are the same as those for muscle StVO-powered bicycles, etc. Mandatory use of the bike path lane with bicycles. For their (commercial) In placing on the market subject to the product liability provisions.
If the above criteria are exceeded, the electric bicycle (equal if a so-called S-Pedelec or any other e-bike) it is a motor vehicle under the rules of the KFG 1967 and not a "Fahrrad" under the StVO 1960 and is only allowed to drive as a moped with the corresponding consequences. It must be a liability insurance be completed, it is the helmet and a driver's license of the corresponding class L1-eB (Vehicle classification "Two-wheel moped" in the Regulation (EU) No 168/2013) must be present. It must also be equipped like a moped with a maximum design vehicle speed less or equal 45 km/h. For these, the buyer should make sure to receive a COC (certificate of conformity) from the dealer in addition to the purchase contract. Only with these documents, the fast e-bike can be registered.See for instance: Thema S-Pedelec: Eure Fragen, unsere Antworten (in German) Website of Austrian ÖAMTC, July 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2019: "S-pedelecs are electric bicycles whose engines deliver a maximum rated power of 4 kW and support pedaling up to a speed of 45 km/h. S-pedelecs are considered vehicles of the class L1e-B, thus legally equivalent to a moped. To be able to steer such a thing, ergo also requires a suitable handlebar permission (at least so the driving license class AM)." — "And for a normal pedelec then a power limit of max. 600 watts for the engine. More importantly though, this engine is only allowed to assist at speeds up to 25 km / h. These normal pedelecs are therefore also considered a bicycle."
Other of above described electric bicycles are not typable in Austria.
However, any pedelec where the power assistance is triggered by merely turning wheels rather than pedal motion (a large number of cheap versions or notoriously front hub assistance), are required to have a licence plate for a scooter / small motorcycle (so called snorfiets or bromfiets), a valid driving licence and an insurance.
In case of the power assistance stopping at a speed up to 25 km/h, the riders are not required to carry motorcycle helmets, however, this speed limit shall not be exceeded even while pedaling only. There is no speedlimit by law for human powered vehicles, including un-assisted pedelecs at > 25 kmh speed. Electric bicycles, for example Specialized Turbo, without 25 km/h speed limitation for power assistance are considered a small motorcycle and besides license plate (yellow with black letters), driving license and insurance, a 'motorcycle helmet' must be worn at all time from the start of 2017 and onwards.
A large fleet of electric bicycles and pedelecs without required power control linked to the pedaling effort can be seen on the cycling paths without any proper registration.
Additionally, many users found simple ways to modify their pedelecs in order to overcome the pedaling sensor, making their pedelecs without further proper vehicle registration illegal.
In October 2017, only for the special case that 3 wheel bicycle that draws a cart with a device to be drawn, the ratio was updated as follows:
(See Moped)
In evaluating pedelec batteries, it is useful to consider not only the capacity, but also criteria such as durability, memory effect, charging time, weight, safety and environmental protection.
Manufacturers which equip their pedelecs with NiCd batteries usually deliver them with an AC adapter that discharges the battery completely before the actual charging process in order to decrease the memory effect. NiMH batteries have a much lower memory effect. With lithium-ion batteries there is no memory effect.
A lithium iron phosphate battery is much longer-lived than a lithium-ion battery. Its use significantly reduces operating costs resulting from battery wear. In 2013, they are not yet available as standard in most pedelec models, but some pedelecs (e.g. Beyond Oil) have begun installing LFP batteries as standard.
In addition, the speed of the vehicle are measured on the wheel, in particular, for example, to drive the motor from 25 km/h off.
The measurement can be further processed mechanically or electronically and is used to control the motor on and off or to regulate a control function based on continuously.
The fed power is based on the sensor data (force sensor, crank speed, ground speed) is calculated based on the chosen level of support from the motor controller. The so-called support levels, that is, how much the motor supported in addition to the driver's performance lie in horizontal drive 5-400 percent.
When the motors are regularly used heavily, especially when going uphill they may heat up significantly, some have a temperature sensor in the motor winding, where if a certain temperature is reached the electronics may reduce power to the motor. Ideally the electronics disconnect the battery at a predetermined discharge voltage to prevent total discharge and to ensure sufficient supply for the operation of the lighting system. This can be done by electronics in the battery.
The use of maintenance-free AC induction motors pedelec is the exception.
A direct rotor hub motor may feature a regenerative brake, so it can be used as a brake that converts some of the kinetic energy into battery charge. In addition to charging the battery when braking this incurs less wear on the mechanical brakes, reducing wear.
A conventional battery (36 V / 7 Ah) (1.9 to 5.1 kg mass in a pedelec) has an energy content of around 250 Wh (1 kg of gasoline has about 11,500 Wh). The conversion of electrical energy into mechanical work is done with some loss of energy due to the generation of heat. Typically, incurred losses are around 25 percent, depending on the efficiency of the motor and the motor controller. Thus, a pedelec with a 70 kg rider (total mass of ≈100 kg) can be calculated to go about 5.6 kilometres on a 10% grade at 25 km/h on battery power alone (assuming frontal area = 0.4 meter-squared, drag coefficient = 0.7, altitude = 100m, wind speed = 10 km/h (2.8 m/s) and rolling resistance coefficient = 0.007). Depending on the assistance of the rider (which is required on a pedelec), a proportionally greater range is possible.
On the other hand, many pedelec (and e-bike) users report that they can ride more defensively with the auxiliary electric drive assisting them; unlike traditional bicyclists that tend to be averse to braking since this incurs effort to accelerate again, a pedelec rider can brake and then accelerate back to a normal speed with much less effort. The accident statistics for the first half of 2012 lists 6,186 accidents involving bicycles, of which 76 are e-bikes and notes that the accident risk of e-bikes is not higher than for other bicycles.
The use of S-Pedelecs involves an additional risk. Not only do they achieve a higher average speed, but a higher top speed (usually 45 km/h) and can also expect a higher annual mileage.
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