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Chapter 3

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Chapter 3

Document

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chog70889
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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CHAPTER- 3

Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Page 19


Chapter 3

Classes of Electric

Bicycles

Electric bicycles are classed according to the power that their electric motor can deliver
and the control system i.e., when and how the power from the motor is applied. Also the
classification of e-bikes is complicated as much of the definition is due to legal reasons of what
constitutes a bicycle and what constitutes a moped or motorcycle; As such the classification of
these e-bikes varies greatly across countries and local jurisdictions.

Despite these legal complications, the classification of e-bikes is mainly decided by


whether the e-bikes motor assists the rider using a pedal-assist system or by a power-on-
demand one.

3.1.1 CLASS 1: Pedal Assist/ Pedelec

The most common type of electric bike is the pedal assist or pedelec. The rider pedals the
bike normally while a motor provides assistance, increasing the power transmitted to the rear
wheel. The pedaling takes far less effort than it normally would, even in high gears, which allow
for higher speeds and effortless climbing over steep hills.

Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Page 20


Fig 3.1.1.1 Pedal-Assist E-bike

Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Page 30


These e-bikes are called pedelecs - have a sensor to detect the pedaling speed, the pedaling force,
or both. Brake activation is sensed to disable the motor as well. Settings can control the amount
of assistance the rider desires but to be considered a class 1 e-bike in most of the Europe, the
system cannot provide assistance over 25 kilometers per hour or approximately 15 miles per hour.
In the US this class is limited to approximately 32kmph or 20mph. A class 1 designation allows
these bike to be used on most roads and paths where normal bikes are allowed and do not require
any additional licensing.

3.1.2 CLASS 2: Power-on-demand/ Throttle

Much like a motorcycle or scooter, a throttle( usually handlebar) operated e-bike propels
the bike forward without any additional pedeling from the rider. Most can provide a variable
amount of power depending how far the throttle is pushed. These are much less common that
their pedal assist counterparts as many countries have laws that prohibit them entirely. The
European union requires an e-bike only provide power while the pedals are moving forward, so
throttle e-bike are most common in the United Stated and China wher little legislation exists to
limit their use.

Fig 3.1.2.1 Power-on-demand/Throttle E-bike

Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Page 21


3.2 Broad classification of E-bikes
Therefore, very broadly, e-bikes can be classed as

1. E-bikes with pedal-assist only.


2. E-bikes with power-on-demand and pedal-assist.
3. E-bikes with power-on-demand only.

3.2.1 Pedal-assist only


E-bikes with pedal-assist only are usually called pedelecs but can be broadly classified into
Pedelecs proper and the more powerful S-Pedelecs.

Pedelecs:
The term pedelec (from pedal electric bicycle) refers to a pedal-assist e-bike with a relatively
low-powered electric motor (upto 250W) and a decent but not excessive top speed (usually
25km/h). Pedelecs are legally classed as bicycles rather than low-powered motorcycles or
mopeds.

Pedal assist bikes have different levels of assistance:


a. Low pedal-assist.
b. Medium pedal-assist.
c. High pedal-assist.

a. Low pedal-assist: Low pedal assist provides a little electric assist while you provide more
pedal power and get more of a workout.

b. Medium pedal-assist: Medium pedal assist can be a nice balance of your pedal power and
the motor power.

c. High pedal-assist: High pedal-assist is when you want to get somewhere quickly and with
minimal effort. This could be useful if you want to get to work without sweating too much.

There are few different pedal assist types on the market:

i. Torque sensor pedal assist system.


ii. Cadence sensor pedal assist system.

Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Page 22


i. Torque sensor: The torque sensor pedal assist systems measure the amount of power you are
putting into the pedals and it will increase or decrease the electric assist based on your pedaling
power. Torque sensor systems have a very intuitive ride feel because they emulate your pedal
power very well. They are also generally found on the more expensive e-bikes or e-bike kits.
These are generally found in the bottom bracket, rear drop out, or in the rear hub motor.

ii. Cadence sensor: The cadence sensor pedal assist systems provide assistance when the cranks
of the bike are turning. Compared to the torque sensor system, the cadence sensor will just
provide the assist based purely on the level assist you have selected and it will not increase or
decrease the assist based on your actual pedal power. You could be pedaling very lightly or very
hard and it will provide the same level of assist.

CLASS 3: S-Pedelecs
More powerful pedelecs which are not legally classed as bicycles are dubbed S-
Pedelecs(Speed Pedelec) in Germany. These have a motor more powerful than 250 watts and
less limited, or unlimited, pedal-assist, i.e., the motor does not stop assisting the rider once 25
km/h has been reached. S-Pedelec class e-bikes are therefore usually classified as mopeds or
motorcycles rather than as bicycles and therefore may need to be registered and insured, the rider
may need some sort of driver’s license and motorcycle helmets have to be worn. In the United
States, many states have adopted S-Pedelecs into the Class 3 category. Class 3 e-bikes are
limited to <=750 watts of power and 28kmph.

3.2.2 Power-on-demand and pedal-assist


Some newer electric bikes include a pedal assist system (PAS) with or without throttle,
allowing the riders to pedal alongside the electric motor to increase distance per charge. There
are also electric bike conversion kits for turning non-electric bikes into e-bikes.

3.2.3 Power-on-demand only


Some e-bikes have an electric motor that operates on a power-on-demand basis only. In
this case, the electric motor is engaged and operated manually using a throttle, which is usually
on the handgrip just like the ones on a motorbike or scooter. These sorts of e-bikes often, but not
always, have more powerful motors than pedelecs do.

Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Page 23


With power-on-demand only e-bikes the rider can:
a. Ride by pedal power alone, i.e., fully human-powered.
b. Ride by electric motor alone by operating the throttle manually.
c. Ride using both together at the same time.

Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Page 24

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