Electric bicycles - A performance evaluation

TLDR

Electric bicycles, defined as motor‑powered bicycles, are mainly used in the U.S. for short trips and leisure, and the market would benefit from further research on battery and drive technology. The article aims to systematically classify electric bicycles and review the current state of the art of commercially available models. The study identifies power requirements for typical riding situations and validates them through experiments.

Abstract

In this article, the term "electric bicycle" is used to describe "electric-motor-powered bicycles," including both fully and partially motor-powered bicycles. Here, the electric bicycle market would benefit from further research both on the battery and on the drive technology and their use with electric bicycles. In the United States, electric bicycles are currently used most commonly for short trips to grocery stores or for leisurely rides.This article provides a systematic, comprehensive classification of electric bicycles that includes an overview of the state of the art of today's commercially available electric bicycles. The power requirements in different typical riding situations are also identified. The results are confirmed by experiments. From the results, the key parameters, needs, and challenges involved in improving the performance of electric bicycle are identified.The article gives the summary of the different results that can serve as a roadmap for such improvements. This summary includes both market trends and regulations and technical-science-related aspects.