A pedelec (from pedal electric cycle) is a bicycle where the rider's pedalling isassisted by a

small electric motor; thus they are a type of low-powered e-bike. 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 include an electronic controller which cuts power
to the motor when the rider is not pedalling or when a certain speed – usually 25 km/h (15 MPH) –
has been reached. Pedelecs are useful for people who ride in hilly areas or in strong headwinds. A
pedelec can be any type of bicycle, but a pedelec city bike is very common. Ordinary conventional
bicycles can be converted to pedelecs with the addition of the necessary parts, i.e. motor, battery
etc.

In many places pedelecs are legally classed as bicycles rather than as mopeds or motorcycles.
Other kinds of e-bikes, such as the more powerful S-Pedelecs andpower-on-demand e-bikes (those
whose motors can provide assistance regardless of whether the rider is pedalling or not) are often
classed as mopeds or even motorcycles and the rider therefore must conform to the conditions that
apply to users of those vehicles, e.g. being licensed, wearing a helmet, vehicle registration etc.

Advantages and disadvantages[.]

Pedelecs provide various advantages over conventional bicycles:

 Mobility: People living in hilly areas can cycle using a pedelec rather than be forced to rely on
fully motorised transport (i.e. cars or motorbikes). This is particularly of use to the older people
who may no longer have the capacity for strenuous exercise that hill climbing demands that they
once had.
 Speed: Destinations can be reached more quickly, since the average speed is higher for the
same amount of effort.
 Effort: Alternatively, the same speeds can be reached with less effort. This means that a rider on
a pedelec can sweat less if at all – particularly when going up hill – so that bicycle commuting in
work clothes is made less problematic, i.e. eliminating the need to change and/or shower upon
getting to work.
 Higher range: Since the rider will be less fatigued, and average speeds higher, greater distances
can be attained.

The main disadvantage is the purchasing cost of the pedelec itself, which is significantly more
expensive than a conventionalbicycle of the same type: the average selling price in Germany is
between €1,500 and €2,000.[1] The other additional expenses are minor: these are
the electricity recharging costs and the eventual replacement of the battery, which together have
been calculated to cost a mere €0.20 - €0.40 per 100 km.

Technical[.]
Components[.]
Pedelecs differ from an ordinary bicycle by an additional electric motor, a battery, an electronic
control system for the motor as well as a sensor to detect the motion of the cranks. Most models are
also equipped with a battery charge indicator and a motor power setting, either continuously or
divided into support levels.
Battery[.]

Besides the motor, the battery is the main component of pedelec technology. It is usually either
a NiMH - Ni - or a lithium-ion battery. The battery capacity is up to 24 Ah n (Ah) at 24 or 36 V (V) or
up to 15 amp hours at 48 volts. The stored energycan be up to about 800 watt hour n (Wh), but
mostly about 400 Wh (2013). In ideal conditions, after a thousand charges NiCd batteries have 85%
of their original capacity and are therefore considered worn. With NiMH batteries about 400 to 800
cycles are possible. The charging time depending on the type of battery is around 2 to 9 hours. The
durability of the battery is dependent on other factors. As lead-acid batteries discharge they provide
less power, so that full motor power is no longer achieved. The very light, more expensive lithium ion
batteries are now used by most manufacturers and have a range of up to 100 kilometers with
moderate pedaling and a medium capacity battery (e.g. 15 Ah). Lithium batteries do not
toleratefrost and should not be charged at frosty temperatures. For safety, the chemical composition
and the quality of the electronics are crucial. Especially with short circuit and over voltage, lithium-ion
batteries react very strongly. These problems in laptops have led to recalls. Lithium iron phosphate
(LFP) batteries are a notable exception. They have far safer thermal characteristics as well as being
non-toxic.

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.
Motor Control[.]

For switching or control of the motor, there are several possibilities:

 Measuring the force or torque on the signal of a force sensors on the pedals, the pedal crank,
the chain or at the wheel
 Measurement of treading on the signal from a revolution counter or threshold switches on the
crank, or at another suitable location
 Measurement of both force and the speed
 Measurement of acceleration or drawbar force at the push trailer
 Measuring electrical values in the serial hybrid (pedal generator)

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.
Force control[.]

When running with a force sensor, the motor is automatically a certain percentage of the service
provided to the driver. In many models, this proportion may be set in several stages. There are also
models where the support level can be set only at the dealer to the customer.
Rotary motion detection[.]

In the version with speed sensor (s) of the motor is automatically using a function to a set
percentage of the self-applied force. Since the force required at the speed rises sharply, it can be
calculated in some models without force sensor.
Sliding or traction[.]

The slide or traction can help with Maximization of legislation to support a motor without pedaling to
6 km/h. The shift means has the advantage that you can let the bike roll alongside with motor
support without pedaling or you push yourself (e.g. must, when transporting a heavy load, or so you
walk up the wheel alone on a hill may be). For some models, the allowed 6 km/h can be achieved
only in top gear, the other gears in the wheel rolls correspondingly slower. In any case, it allows for a
faster (and more controlled physically) starting from standstill to "green" switches over light n
Power Electronics[.]
The power electronics is, depending on the type of motor, consists of a DC motor controller
with pulse width modulation or a regulated DC-AC converter.
Motor types[.]

Pedelec hub motor with gearbox. Smart e-bike motor

Almost exclusively, pedelecs use DC motors, using commutator-less and brush disc motors, which
are suitable for direct drive, and brush motors with gears.

The use of maintenance-free AC induction motors pedelec is the exception.

Direct rotor hub motors provide the ability to regenerative, that is the recovery of energy when
braking. In addition to a minor charge the battery when going downhill this offers the advantage of a
mostly silent and wear-free auxiliary brake.
Force approach of the electric drive[.]

See generally starting points of the electric drive. When Pedelec specifically, the type of control of
the drive by the pedaling (see above), which may be integrated in the drive.
Drive positions[.]

The position of the motor has a significant impact on the handling of the pedelec. The following
combinations of actuator position and motor have been successful:

 Motor in the hub of the front wheel.

 Motor in the hub of the rear wheel.
 Motor in the bottom bracket.
Range[.]
Generally the range with motor support is between 7 km for a constant rise and up to 70 km. At
medium power addition, it is about 20 to 50 km. On some models, by default two successive
switchable batteries are housed in luggage bags, here is the range specified at medium power
addition of 100 km.

A conventional battery (36 V / 7 Ah) (1.9 to 5.1 kg mass in a pedelec[12]) 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 and Rolling resistance
coefficient = 0.007[13][14]). Depending on the assistance of the rider (which is required on a pedelec), a
proportionally greater range is possible.
Safety[.]
Safety issues are a concern in relatively flat areas, but are more pronounced in the hills. Hilly areas
provide changing conditions; this poses the possibility of encountering more critical situations and
thus more accidents may occur. Cars may need to overtake pedelecs at higher speeds than cars
would overtake regular bikes, and this may result in more accidents with serious consequences for
both cyclists and drivers. For drivers, it may be difficult to calculate how fast a cyclist is moving. Also,
a senior on a city pedelec may ride much faster than previously possible. Risky situations can also
arise at exits and junctions. To illustrate the consequences of such critical situations, the German
Insurers Accident Research (UDV) has conducted a research project with road tests, performance
tests and crash tests for pedelecs.[15][16][17]

On the other hand, many pedelec (and e-bike) users report that they find that they can ride more
defensively with the auxiliary electric drive assisting them; this is because they are happier to brake
and decelerate as they can much easier accelerate to reach a normal speed again.
The Bavarian accident statistics for the first half of 2012 lists 6,186 accidents involving bicycles, of
which 76 (i.e. about 1.2%) are e-bikes.[18]

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.

See also[.]

 E-bike

References[.]

1. ^ Jump up to:a b c "Präsentation zur Wirtschaftspressekonferenz"(PDF) (in German). Zweirad-Industrie-

Verband (ZIV). 21 March 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2013. Die angegebene Spanne des
durchschnittlichen Verkaufspreises schließt auch die vernachlässigbar wenigen ausschließlich
elektrisch angetriebenen Räder mit ein.
2. Jump up^ "Meilensteine des Dolphin e-Bikes (Milestones of Dolphin e-bikes)" (in German).
Retrieved 23 March 2013.
3. Jump up^ "BKTech AG" (PDF). ecademy.ch (in German). between 1997 & 2001. Retrieved 23
March 2013. Check date values in: |date= (help)
4. Jump up^ Susanne Brüsch (April 1999). "Pedelecs: Fahrzeuge der Zukunft (Pedelecs: Vehicles of
the future)" (in German).Heidelberg University.
5. Jump up^ "Bike Europe - EU-2010: E-bikes Rising Star in All Major Markets". Retrieved 21
March 2013.
 6. Jump up^ "Pedelec, Segway, Bierbike: Lust oder Last? - Arbeitskreis auf dem 50. Deutschen
Verkehrsgerichtstag" (in German). January 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
7. Jump up^ "Go Pedelec! Handbuch mit wertvollen Praxistipps"(PDF) (in German). 2012. p. 14.
Retrieved 22 March 2013.
8. Jump up^ "ADAC Test Fahrräder mit Elektroantrieb 2013".www.adac.de. Retrieved 2013.
9. Jump up^http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201305/08/P201305070364.htm
10. Jump
up^http://www.onemotoring.com.sg/publish/onemotoring/en/lta_information_guidelines/buy_a_new_v
ehicle/motorised_bicycles.MainPar.21283.File.tmp/MotorisedBicycle_Safety_Guide.pdf
11. Jump up^ "Power assisted bicycles". VicRoads. Retrieved21 March 2013.
12. Jump up^ "Alle Ergebnisse des Pedelec und E-Bike Tests" (in German). ExtraEnergy e.V.
Retrieved 21 March 2013.
13. Jump up^ "Hill Climbing (and going downhill)". Retrieved 28 May2014.
14. Jump up^ "Electric Bicycle Calculators". Retrieved 28 May 2014.
15. Jump up^ Siegfried Brockmann (7 April 2011). "Elektrofahrräder – Umweltschonend aber
gefährlich?" (PDF 1.7MB). Neumünster: Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft e.V.
(GDV). Retrieved 21 March2013.
16. Jump up^ "Crashtest: Pedelec gegen Autos" (Video).Unfallforschung on YouTube. Unfallforschung
der Versicherer (UDV). 7 April 2011.
17. Jump up^ "Safety Aspects of High-Speed Pedelecs". Unfallforschung der Versicherer. Retrieved 21
March 2013.
18. Jump up^ "E-Bikes nicht gefährlicher als andere Räder".Augsburger Allgemeine. 2012-09-20.
Retrieved 21 March2013.

Further reading[.]

 Hannes Neupert: Das Powerbike. Moby Dick, 1996, ISBN 3-89595-123-4.

 Gunnar Fehlau, Peter Barzel: Das E-Bike: Die neuen Fahrräder mit elektrischer
Antriebsunterstützung. Typen – Modelle – Komponenten. Delius Klasing, 2009, ISBN 978-3-
7688-5282-1.
 Alexander Jaeger: Aufsatz: Elektrofahrräder in Zeitschrift für Schadensrecht. 12/2011 (PDF 4.25
MB).

External links[.]
Wikimedia Commons has
media related
to Electrically-powered
 bicycles.

Look up pedelec in
Wiktionary, the free
dictionary.

 Pedelec vs Ebike
 Electric Bikes on Robert Llewellyn's Fully Charged. (The first bike presented is a pedelec.)
 Go Pedelec! – a European project with independent information
 Go Pedelec! Manual, info at ExtraEnergy, an association with the aim of spreading human-
powered/electric vehicles
 e-motion electric bike, 3sat-science documentary in March 2013, video, YouTube (44 min)
 Electric bike: a trip simulator to understand how far and how fast you can ride with your electric
bike

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Categories:
 Road transport
 Cycle types
 Motorized bicycles
 Green vehicles