Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, On Two Wheels, Green Daily
ErockIT serial electric bike impresses
Click above for more shots of the Erockit electric bike
The debate over serial and parallel hybrid rages on, with Toyota and Honda placing their bets on the parallel model where both the gasoline engine and electric motor power the wheels directly. General Motors has placed a huge bet on the serial hybrid approach, where the second-fiddle powertrain serves only to extend the range of the predominately electric vehicle. There are numerous ideas as to what makes a good range extender. Hydrogen fuel cells and small gas or diesel engines are the most popular choices, but have you ever considered just using your legs?
Erockit has made a new electric bike which is capable of going fifty miles per hour and reportedly has strong acceleration. The range can be extended by pedaling along, though your strokes don't actually ever make it to the wheels in a conventional way. Instead, your legs turn a small generator which adds a bit of juice to the battery. The company has plans for a limited model release starting next year.
Gallery: Erockit
[Source: Erockit via Hell For Leather]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
rj 6:24PM (6/21/2008)
I'd say ditch the generator and the pedals. Nobody will pedal and it wouldn't help all that much if they did. Looks interesting as an electric motorcycle.
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Dave 7:10PM (6/21/2008)
"...Toyota and Honda placing their bets on the parallel model where both the gasoline engine and electric motor power the wheels directly. General Motors has placed a huge bet on the serial hybrid approach..."
Stating that "GM has placed a huge bet on the serial hybrid approach" seems to imply that GM is putting all of their eggs in that one basket when they definitely are not.
The BAS mild hybrid as well as the two mode hybrid are both parallel hybrid systems.
The FWD version of the two mode hybrid is scheduled to debut very soon in the Saturn Vue, IIRC.
The real difference is that GM introduced their parallel hybrid system on large vehicles and is now working their way toward smaller ones while Toyota and Honda introduced their parallel hybrid systems on small cars and then worked up to larger ones.
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Hans Wurst 8:59PM (6/21/2008)
The German version of the web site paints a totally different picture:
As you pedal, the electric drive multiplies your pedaling power (up to 50 times to a max speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).)
If you've ever been on a power assist bicylce, e.g. one using BionX, you know that this sounds like a lot of fun!
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alteredsego 10:07AM (6/22/2008)
I did not realize this till the other day either, but actually Honda does produce a series based hybrid; the FCX Clarity. In fact it is one of the first lithium powered electric vehicles on the road. I am kind of surprised they have not gone more out of their way to promote that fact, but I suppose they consider the fact it is hydrogen powered as well, more important. Just though I would let you know.
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GenWaylaid 2:07AM (6/23/2008)
I doubt pedaling will help much since a human rider can only produce a couple hundred watts. As a power-assist setup, however, this could be a lot of fun.
Unlike many other green vehicles, this would be relatively easy to import. Fit the bikes with a speed limiter, import and sell them as electric mopeds, then remove the limiter and register them as motorcycles.
The big question marks, as always, are price and availability.
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tom-tom 7:54AM (6/25/2008)
Hi all,
the price for this vehicle will be 25.000 EUR in Germany. For more info see there www.erockit.net even in english.
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Chris M 7:47PM (8/10/2008)
OUCH! that's way too much for an e-bike. I could buy a Prius for that much! I could buy a Vectrix scooter for a third that price, and the Vectrix is much better looking.
Yannick 2:42PM (7/16/2008)
Would be pretty cool to drive... But rather on four wheels than on
two... Much safer and a lot more fun for those favouring a carlike
driving feeling.
A bit like this...:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=693499&id=1212364113 ;-)
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Schorsch Dabbeljuh 4:05PM (8/10/2008)
This vehicle could turn the traffic in the cities into a clean way of moving. Next year only 10 bikes shall be produced which cost 25000 EURO each. This is wasting a real great idea and also economic stupidity. If the price was realistic thousands of them could be sold worldwide.
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Domenique 9:55AM (9/28/2008)
This bike is awesome but I agree with rj about the pedals should be optional. I'd keep the gen for regen braking purposes. Let stopping and going help return power back to the batteries on the fly.
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shoukry 5:22PM (9/29/2008)
sorry don't want to be a negative nay sayer, but you have to look at the whole picture- rechargeable battery sources are good for about 5 years regardless of the type...then what ? How to dispose of these toxic units ? What is the cost or replacements ? ...back to the sun for me....cheers
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