Ebike (electric scooter) in China

Bicycles are everywhere on Chinese roads, along with thousands of electric scooters.
This one indicates 50Km/h at full speed but that's probably a touch optimistic (didn't go full speed in this video) On a full charge with an 80Kg+ rider using mostly full throttle this one will do just under 20 miles before pedal power is needed (it's not as hard as you might think to pedal them).
A full charge costs only around 1￥ (10p) so you are looking at about 1300 miles per gallon with zero emissions (of course, with electric vehicles the emissions are passed on elsewhere to the power stations/disposal of batteries).
The bikes only cost around 2000￥ (£200, £80 of that is the battery).
Interestingly, the drive motor is the rear wheel hub itself, the drive chain is just for the manual crank.

Update: Have now fitted a cycle computer speedo to get the true speed - max speed so far has been about 36Km/h, so about 22 Mph! Also max battery range in winter is about 25 Km, (15 Miles) before she's just about out of juice. Should be better in warm weather.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• ebike
• china
• electric
• scooter
• alternative
• fuels
• transport

[TonyL1000]

In Ontario Canada as a owner of one, the only 2 things are , ya gotta be 16, and wear a helmet, and definately stay off the sidewalk, E-bikes here are capped at 32 kmhor 20 mph, by law here and must carry a sticker saying its transport canada legal , they are allowed on bike paths, also, I have 1500 miles on mine now, using a GPS tracker , to keep track of distance, since the small wheels don't allow a odometer , my car is now jealous , i love this thing lol

[streamingfreedom]

@TonyL1000 You can put a bicucle style odometer on. I fitted one to this ebike after this video was shot so that I could get a more accurate speed reading. You just need one that allows wheel diameter programming down to the small size and need to make up a bracket to mount the sensor and screen, but they work well.

[videoraver]

Wow, these are cool! Seen these all around China on roads, they don't even use a helmet!

I was wondering if you can hire these out? But if its only £200, I might buy one for my 4 month study in China. Noticed you got a number plate, do you need insurance too?

[streamingfreedom]

@videoraver No you don't need insurance for an electric bike. You don't actually need insurance for any vehicle as far as I know although not having could be dangerous. That might have changed you might have to have it in some areas I don't know, China changes so fast. You are supposed to register them with the local police and get a proper plate but you don't have to, I didn't. Best thing I did in China was buy this.

[Chivas6]

Do you need a license in china for one of those badboys?

[streamingfreedom]

No, you don't need a license for these! Anything petrol though you have to have a full China license, international license isn't even valid.

[t0f0b0]

Are those pedals on there? I'm assuming you can also pedal this scooter manually?

[pochul]

use 55 volts or 63 volts in this motor it will go 5O km/h even more ( depend of zise of coper inside motor ) star or delta ,it''s the same motor than bicycle , scooter is uselless becus it's heavier than bicycle and u will go mor"e slow than bicycle ,,

[crzune]

@bluetech7753 you may want to check the law for electric bicycles in your country

[MrAnonim1998]

faina scuter

[Orsznabaal]

max speed?

[pjvenner]

@MrKristhefish : Personally, no. but there are people who want to play by the book - In the UK it can save them losing their licence before they even have one.

[MrKristhefish]

@pjvenner do you think anyone cares about the age

[pjvenner]

@mrdragonballz418 : It has pedals for 2 reasons... Firstly anything more than a moderate incline requires pedal assistance. Secondly having pedals (and a limited power output) classifies it as an Electrically Assisted Pedal Bicycle in most countries, eliminating the need for a licence, insurance, helmet, etc... Legislation varies country to country but in the UK 250 watts & 15mph is the limit & can be ridden by anyone over 14. USA allow a little more power but you have to be 16.