Modern motors in e-bikes are known for their high reliability, but improper use can still lead to damage. To extend the life of the motor, it is important to respect the weight limit set by the manufacturer. If the permissible user weight is 120 kg, it is crucial not to exceed that limit, as doing so puts excessive strain on the frame, components, and motor, leading to premature wear and potential damage. When riding uphill, it is essential to use the appropriate gears to reduce the load on the motor. Engaging your muscles along with the motor can prevent the motor from reaching its maximum power and overheating, ensuring a smoother and more efficient ride while preserving the motor's lifespan. Additionally, avoiding engine tuning beyond the manufacturer specifications is key. If your motor is rated for 250W, it is designed to run at that power level without issues. Increasing the power to 350W or even 500W, though tempting for enhanced performance, significantly reduces the motor's lifespan by causing it to overheat and operate beyond its intended capacity.
FAQ
A standard e-bike typically costs between 800 and 2000 euros. When considering the benefits of having such a mode of transportation, the price seems reasonable. Given that there are no fuel costs like those associated with cars, purchasing an electric bike could pay for itself within a year of use. The time required for this payback can be shorter or longer depending on the number of kilometers ridden. Additionally, bike maintenance is very affordable, and spare parts are easy to find. There are no insurance fees or mandatory technical inspections to worry about
We can use an e-bike to travel along bicycle paths just like a conventional bicycle, significantly reducing contact with cars. The speed limit of 25 km/h ensures that we don't exceed safe speeds, preventing any potential risks. This way, we minimize the threat to other people and ensure safer riding for everyone.
The e-bike is sure to be appreciated by a diverse range of users. Those who enjoy sports will love the ability to reach locations that were previously difficult to access. Climbing steep hills or navigating mountain trails becomes much easier and more enjoyable, allowing for a more adventurous ride.
For individuals seeking an economical way to commute, the e-bike provides an excellent solution. It doesn’t require fuel, and by using bike paths, you can easily avoid city traffic jams. Commuting to work or a meeting on an e-bike is effortless, so there’s no need to worry about showering or changing into fresh clothes afterward.
E-bikes are also an ideal option for elderly individuals who need light exercise and a connection with nature. The reduced physical effort required makes it a comfortable and accessible choice for daily outings. Whether it's commuting to the park, meeting friends, or doing grocery shopping, riding an e-bike makes these activities much easier and more enjoyable.
For those who are environmentally conscious and aware of the dangers of excessive emissions, the e-bike stands out as one of the most ecological and economical modes of transportation available today.
At first glance, an e-bike may look similar to a traditional bicycle, with its frame, handlebars, two wheels, and saddle. However, upon closer inspection, we can spot the key differences: the battery (which may be integrated into the frame), the motor located in the wheel or mounted between the pedals, and the function display on the handlebars. The main controller is typically hidden within the frame, and specialized wiring ensures energy flows between these components.
The e-bike is also noticeably heavier due to the added electronics, which contribute approximately 9 kg of extra weight. Many people mistakenly confuse e-bikes with smaller scooters, but this is a misunderstanding. An e-bike is not a scooter. Pedaling is still required to move the bike forward, and the electric motor only assists the rider, providing extra support rather than doing all the work.
European Union regulations on electric bicycles are clear and designed to ensure safety and consistency across member states. According to the law, an electric bicycle must meet the following criteria:
- Maximum motor power of 250W
- Voltage of up to 48V
- Electric assistance limited to 25 km/h
- Width of the e-bike up to 0.9 meters
- No accelerator on the handlebars (the motor can only be activated by pedaling)
If an e-bike meets these specifications, it is classified as a regular bicycle. This means it can be used on public roads and bicycle paths just like a conventional bike. This type of e-bike is known as a pedelec (pedal electric cycle), and it does not require additional insurance or registration, making it simpler and more accessible for riders.
Both conventional bikes and e-bikes are used for recreational purposes and as a means of transportation. For many, they serve as essential tools for building physical fitness and improving overall condition. Research has shown that riding an e-bike can actually yield better results than using a traditional bike. Thanks to the electric assistance, we don’t place as much strain on our muscles, allowing us to pedal more intensively. The motor supports us up to a speed of 25 km/h, and beyond that, we rely solely on our muscle strength.
This assistance from the motor encourages more frequent physical activity, making it easier to ride longer distances or tackle tougher terrain. This combination of motor support and physical effort is highly beneficial for improving our fitness levels.
It is clear that an e-bike weighs more than a conventional bicycle. The weight depends on the components used: motor, battery, controller, wiring. Sometimes it is also required to strengthen the frame to make it more stable and safer. The average weight is between 23-27 kg. While riding, this weight is not felt, on the contrary, the bike seems lighter, more agile and more pleasant to handle.
As we already know, the main components of an e-bike are the electric motor, battery, display, and controller. The function display typically offers four operating modes to choose from. The mode selected determines the level of support the electric motor provides, with mode 4 offering the maximum speed of 25 km/h.
Once we choose the desired mode and start pedaling, the electric motor activates, giving us a very smooth and effortless riding experience. The harder we pedal, the more power the motor delivers to assist us. Everything operates quietly and smoothly, as the system is simple and free of complex mechanics. Once we surpass the speed of 25 km/h, the electric motor ceases to provide assistance.
The entire system is powered by a modern, long-lasting Lithium Ion battery, ensuring efficiency and durability. The main controller manages and monitors the operation of all the components, ensuring everything works seamlessly
E-bikes a can be categorized into various types, each designed for different purposes and applications. Here are some of the most common types:
Folding E-bike
A compact e-bike with 20" wheels. Its folding capability makes it easy to store and transport in a car without the need for an additional bike rack. Despite its small size, it can accommodate riders of different body shapes, thanks to a handlebar and saddle with extensive height adjustments (suitable for people between 150-190 cm tall). Ideal for urban commuting, cycling on bike paths, or for travel. Some folding e-bikes even feature wide terrain tires, allowing you to venture into more demanding off-road conditions.City E-bike
A full-size e-bike available with either a male or female frame and 26" wheels. As the name suggests, this bike is primarily intended for city riding. With its classic design, it is very popular and attracts many buyers. It offers a comfortable riding position, ensuring no fatigue even after long rides. Perfect for people seeking a fast, efficient, and comfortable means of transportation for commuting or city travel.Trekking E-bike
Similar in design to the City E-bike, but with notable differences upon closer inspection. It is equipped with a front shock absorber and tires designed for slightly rougher terrain. This bike is perfect for both city commuting and short trips outside the city, such as riding through forests or on unpaved roads.EMTB (Electric Mountain Bike)
Designed for off-road adventures, this e-bike is perfect for mountain and forest trails. It features a sturdy construction, often with both front and rear shock absorbers, and a slightly more inclined riding position. The EMTB is built to handle all types of rough terrain and is most effective in outdoor environments, providing a powerful and stable ride even in challenging conditions.E-Road Bike
This e-bike is made for fast riding on smooth, paved roads. Ideal for riders who enjoy speed and long-distance travel, it’s built with a rigid frame and thin, hard tires for a more efficient ride on well-maintained surfaces. It is not suitable for unpaved or rough roads, as it requires a smooth surface for optimal comfort and performance.E-Cargo Bike
Commonly used for commercial purposes, E-cargo bikes are great for catering services, transporting goods, or carrying small groups of people. They are designed to carry heavy loads and are often used in urban settings for short-distance deliveries or as a sustainable alternative to traditional transport methods.
Modern e-bikes motors have a power range between 250W and 1000W and voltages of 24V, 36V, or 48V. While more powerful motors do exist, they are generally reserved for extreme sports and professional use due to their high cost and legal restrictions.
The electric motor is often equipped with a clutch, allowing the rider to pedal freely without any resistance when the motor is turned off.
As for motor placement, there are three common options:
In the Front Wheel Hub
This motor placement is less common but provides good traction and a smooth, stable ride, especially for lighter bikes. It can offer better handling in certain conditions, such as when starting from a stop.Centrally in the Pedal Crank
This is one of the most popular motor placements as it offers a natural, balanced feel while riding. It provides more efficient power transfer, especially when climbing hills, and gives the bike a more stable, centralized weight distribution.In the Rear Wheel Hub
Rear hub motors are also common and provide powerful propulsion, making the bike feel more like a traditional bike when pedaling. This placement can offer better traction when accelerating or riding on rougher terrain.
There are many options when choosing engine power for an ebike. Consider what it will serve you for. If we need a strong ebike for riding in the mountains in forests and will not be used in the city for driving on the roads, it will be worth considering a bicycle with a power of 500W and higher. If we need an ebike and we live in a country in the European Union. To drive legally on public roads and bicycle roads, the engine power cannot be higher than 250W and the voltage cannot be higher than 48V. Such a bike will also support us up to 25 km/h.
An important parameter of the motor, aside from its power, is the torque, measured in Newton-meters (Nm). Electric bicycles approved for use on public roads are typically equipped with systems operating at 36V or 48V, with torque usually ranging from 50Nm to 100Nm, depending on the motor’s power and voltage. The higher the torque, the faster the bike will accelerate, resulting in better flexibility and performance while riding.
For an enhanced riding experience, a 48V system would be the better choice. Bikes operating with 48V tend to offer higher torque and more efficient power usage, meaning they consume less electricity. For example, a 36V 10Ah battery will have a capacity of 360Wh, while a 48V 10Ah battery will provide a higher capacity of 480Wh, offering more power for longer rides and better performance overall.
There are three common ways to position the motor in an e-bike, each offering its own advantages and potential drawbacks:
Motor in the Front Wheel Hub
- Advantages: This is a simple, reliable, and relatively low-maintenance solution, commonly found in city bikes. The front-wheel hub motor provides smooth and quiet operation and is easy to install.
- Disadvantages: The main drawback is that the front wheel can become underloaded, which may cause a loss of grip on loose or slippery surfaces, especially when the motor is more powerful and the torque is high. This can be problematic on uneven terrain or during acceleration.
Motor in the Pedal Crank (Mid-drive Motor)
- Advantages: Found in high-end city bikes and off-road e-MTBs, this motor placement provides better weight distribution and allows the motor to use the bike's gears, offering more efficient power transfer. Mid-drive motors are ideal for hilly terrains and off-road riding because they provide more torque and control.
- Disadvantages: Mid-drive motors tend to be more expensive than hub motors, as they require a more specialized frame design and offer a more complex system. This increases the overall cost of the e-bike, but it provides better performance, especially in off-road conditions.
Motor in the Rear Wheel Hub
- Advantages: This is a common and reliable choice for city, trekking, and folding bikes. The rear motor offers good traction because the rear wheel is already loaded with the rider’s weight, ensuring better grip and stability. It’s also a failure-free and cost-effective solution.
- Disadvantages: While it provides smooth operation, it can be more difficult to repair or replace the motor, as the wheel needs to be removed for maintenance. However, this is still a popular option due to its simplicity and effective performance.
There are several types of batteries available on the market, including gel batteries, Li-poly (lithium-polymer), Ni-MH (nickel-metal hydride), and Ni-Cd (nickel-cadmium). However, these types have significant drawbacks and are generally not recommended for use in electric bikes. Due to issues such as poor shock resistance, complicated charging processes, and high production costs, experts advise against using them in e-bikes.
The best and most widely used battery for electric bikes is the Li-ION (Lithium-Ion) battery. One of the primary advantages of Li-Ion batteries is their light weight—they are much lighter than other types of batteries with the same capacity. These batteries are also equipped with current protection, reducing the risk of explosion, which adds an extra layer of safety.
The biggest benefit of Li-Ion batteries, however, is their long lifespan. Even after 800 charging cycles under optimal conditions, a Li-Ion battery will typically retain around 70% of its original capacity. This means that while the bike’s range will decrease over time, it will still be usable. Importantly, these batteries do not require "reformatting," meaning you can recharge them at any point without worrying about reducing their lifespan. For instance, if the battery is at 50% charge, you can safely recharge it to 100% without negative effects, ensuring you always have a full charge when you need it most.
In summary, Li-Ion batteries provide a combination of safety, long life, and ease of use, making them the ideal choice for electric bikes.
In the European Union, Ah (ampere-hours) is used to denote the capacity of a battery. For electric bikes, the most common battery capacities range between 8Ah and 20Ah. Generally, the higher the Ah value, the greater the range of the bike, as a larger capacity allows for more energy storage.
Another important unit of measurement for battery capacity is Wh (watt-hours). To calculate the Wh, you need to know both the battery’s voltage (V) and its capacity in Ah. You can calculate Wh by multiplying these two values:
For example:
A 36V 10Ah battery:
36V * 10Ah = 360Wh
This means the battery has a capacity of 360 watt-hours.A 48V 10Ah battery:
48V * 10Ah = 480Wh
This means the battery has a capacity of 480 watt-hours.
The range of an e-bike on a single charge depends on several factors. Some of the key variables that influence battery consumption and range include:
User Weight
The heavier the rider, the more weight the bike has to carry, which leads to higher battery consumption.Type of Surface
The type of terrain you ride on affects the range. Riding on paved roads or smooth bicycle paths requires less energy due to lower rolling resistance, while unpaved or rough terrain will drain the battery more quickly.Mountainous Terrain
If your route includes frequent uphill climbs, the motor will require more energy to assist in getting to the top, reducing the overall range.Air Temperature
Extreme temperatures can affect battery performance. In hot weather, the battery may overheat and lose capacity more quickly, while cold temperatures can cause the battery to deplete faster due to reduced efficiency.
Calculating Range
To calculate the approximate range of an e-bike, we can use average energy consumption data. On average, e-bikes consume about 9Wh per kilometer. Here’s how we can estimate the range for an e-bike with a 48V 15Ah battery:
Battery Capacity:
48V * 15Ah = 720Wh (watt-hours)Energy Consumption per Kilometer:
If the bike consumes 9Wh per kilometer, the range can be calculated as follows:
720Wh ÷ 9Wh/km = 80 km
To maximize the range of your e-bike, regardless of the terrain, it's important to follow a few simple practices. Start by using the power of your legs to ease the load on the motor, as starting the e-bike consumes a lot of energy. Use the gears as you would on a traditional bike, starting in a higher gear and then gradually shifting down, so the motor doesn’t have to work too hard when you start. Keep the e-bike clean and lubricate the chain regularly to ensure smooth operation and reduce friction. Also, make sure your tire pressure is correct, as low pressure increases rolling resistance and consumes more energy. Use the eco mode whenever possible, as it provides less assistance and encourages you to pedal more, saving battery. Finally, use the highest assist mode only in difficult terrain or when climbing steep hills, to avoid wasting energy unnecessarily. By following these tips, you can significantly extend the range of your e-bike and make every ride more efficient.
The choice of e-bike should be tailored to our preferences. The key factors to consider are the daily distance traveled, the type of terrain we typically ride on, and the budget we have for the bike. For example, if your daily commute is around 30 km and you don’t want to spend a large budget, a 36V 8Ah battery may be sufficient. However, if you want the bike to travel faster over the same distance, consider opting for a higher voltage, such as a 48V battery. For those needing a longer range and a larger budget, choosing a bike with a battery capacity between 12Ah and 15Ah and a 36V voltage is a good option. If you require both a longer range and higher torque for better acceleration and flexibility, a bike with a 48V 15Ah battery would be ideal. Higher capacity and voltage are also well-suited for tackling longer uphill climbs, unpaved roads, and more challenging terrain.
Here are some important tips for using the battery to extend its life:
Avoid discharging the battery to 0%. Repeated deep discharges can cause a faster decline in efficiency. If the battery drops to around 10%, it's a good idea to start charging it.
Don't leave the e-bike with a discharged battery for an extended period. If the battery stays discharged for too long, its performance can drop significantly. When not in use, make sure the battery is at least 50% charged to maintain its condition.
If you don’t use the bike, especially during winter, store the battery in a warm, dry place with a positive temperature, but not exceeding 20°C.
Keep the battery away from water. If it becomes flooded, it may suffer permanent damage.
Always use the original charger. Using an incompatible or substandard charger can reduce battery efficiency or even destroy it.
Ensure the battery and the entire electrical system remain clean to promote proper functioning.
To drive a 2000w scooter you need a category AM driving license. In Italy after obtaining a category B driving license you automatically get category AM.
If the scooter has a power of 2000w, its average energy consumption per 1 kilometer will be 35wh (depending on the driving style). If the scooter has a 72v40ah battery, we have energy to use in the order of 2880wh. Divide 2280wh into 35wh and we will get 82km
All vehicles with a power of over 250w should be registered and insured to be able to drive on public roads. If the electric scooter has a power of 2000w and we want to drive it on the street we have to register and insure it.