Go green, go quick

The new e-bikes are transport solutions to carbon reduction with added fun!
Have you tried cycling uphill with only the lightest of effort to turn the bicycle’s pedals, and found yourself effortlessly passing all other cyclists strenuously exerting their legs to move forward? If you have then you were probably riding an electric power assisted bicycle, or simply being towed behind a four wheeler!
Improvements in the design and efficiency of electric bikes, often called e-bikes, have come a long way. They are worth a close look if you haven’t experienced them before. If you have then you probably either own or use one already or hope to have one in the future.
Today’s latest models are refined and visually very appealing, so much so they are positively desirable machines to own. You can travel up to 30 miles at a top motor driven speed of 15.5mph (18.5mph off road) on the popular 250 watt, 37 volt, with the 8 amp hour advanced lithium polymer manganese battery, or a range of up to 56 miles using the 14 amp hour battery.
Jim Duncan runs Reaction Electric (RE), a Somerset based firm dedicated to supplying quality built electric personal transport, especially electric cycles and motor scooters. He told me their mission is simple: “We supply a range of vehicle options for anybody who would like to travel emissions free.”
Reaction Electric focus their dealership on the latest Wisper, Urban Mover, Ultra Motor and other best brands of electric bicycles. They also supply the Vectrix VX1 motorcycle, which RE believe are the most advanced electric motorcycles on the market. This is a very sleek and stylish motorbike that looks fast and appears no different to any other bike in its class, the only difference being it is totally silent and vibration free, whether travelling from one to 62 mph.
Jim invited me to try out the Wisper 905Eco e-bicycle. This is the basic model, in a jet black metallic anodised mountain bike frame, and the first of four in the 905 range. There is also the 806fe folding version that will fit into a car boot or for easy stowage on the train.
The 905 Eco looks and works like a normal bicycle, but with the added elongated box (the battery) fitted behind the saddle and a few handlebar switches you won’t find on a normal pedal bike. I tried very hard to locate the motor and came to the conclusion it must be inside the tubular frame between both pedals. Let me worn you now, they are addictive and once you’ve tried one you won’t be able to walk away and stop thinking about how great it would be to ride one to work or for pleasure.
As its name suggests, a Wisper makes hardly any noise when engaging the motor with an automated switch on the handle bar. The best part, I think, is that you can pedal like a normal bike, using its six speed Shimano gears, but then simply switch on and let the motor take the strain or add pedal power to go a little faster. The weight of the whole bike, without the removable battery, is not far off that of my own mountain bike, though the battery (2.3 to 3.8Kg), when fitted, makes a total bike weight of 48lbs or 21.6kg.
The battery takes from two to six hours to charge, and costs about six pence, on regular tariff. Using a solar photo-voltaic system to charge the battery would mean you are completely eco-friendly, zero carbon, and could take advantage of free sunshine or daylight power for life.
Battery charging is very simple at home or in the work place, via an ordinary three pin socket and the small transformer, which comes with each bike. The battery can either be charged in situ or easily removed from the bike for charging in your living room or elsewhere. A partial recharge of a battery might also be done whilst out shopping or at a cafe. Some premises will be happy to oblige, much like allowing a customer’s laptop to be plugged in whilst having a coffee or lunch.
The urban street based Elektrobay charging posts for EVs, which are starting to appear in towns and cities all over the UK, are designed to charge the electric motorcycles and four wheel EVs, but Jim tells me because the bicycle battery charge needs its transformer, in between the battery and the power source, they don’t advise unsupervised use of the street side charging in this instance.
As with all bicycles, it is recommended the user wears a protective cycle helmet and reflective, hi-vis clothing for added safety. Beyond that there is nothing else required – other than optional accident and theft insurance. They come complete with LED front and tail lights, bell, pannier racks, with bags optional.
The drawback I see in all this is the purchase cost of the bicycle. They can range from £500 to over £1000 depending on the model and make, so this makes them more of a luxury buy for adults. If they are considered as a replacement form of transport, however, then the investment set against the low running cost (the motor is maintenance free) plus the advantages over the cost and hassle of using the car in congested towns and cities, with limited parking and possible penalty costs, makes them a realistic option and solution to most urban travel problems. Going on the open country road, bridle or bike paths with an electric bike and you will experience the effortless pleasure of longer distance travel than pedalling alone would achieve.
“China is now setting an amazing example: having produced over 21 million electric vehicles – many of which are electric scooters – their factory gates are fast becoming vehicle noiseless as thousands of their workers come and go.” Jim Duncan
Reaction Electric is taking advantage of the growing interest and increasing availability of electric vehicle travel. “We believe there’s going to be a growth, across the South West, in the demand for electric vehicles across the whole range, with electric bicycles, scooters, mopeds, motorcycles coming first – it’s very much the technology of the future and its here now,” Jim says. He also told me about his research into the use of electric vehicles – EVs for short – in Germany and Canada, and that China has calculated they have over 21 million EVs owned by their factory workers.
It maybe some time yet before the electric car and van market takes off and replaces the internal combustion engine vehicles, Jim says, but they are already being used for some vehicle fleets and business users in the UK. As a way to reduce carbon emissions they score on two points – reducing ‘fossil car’ use and opportunity for currently using electric power from renewable sources or future carbon capture technologies at the power stations. Efficient use of electricity elsewhere would also allow more EV use without having to add more capacity to the grid.
“If we could cut electricity use for outdoor lighting (using LED) globally by one third, we would free up enough electrons to charge about 25 million electric vehicles – all without adding any new power plants to the grid.” The Climate Group organisation.
Reaction Electric have decided to trial a hire service for people wanting a short term EV use, especially prior to purchase or simply to extend a holiday experience in the South West.
In the run up to the Copenhagen Climate Summit this December, we will all become aware of the seriousness of our greenhouse gas emissions are having on global warming, and the fact that time is running out to take action around the world to stop the worst excesses of climate change.
Deciding to cut back on our personal carbon pollution can now go a step further with the use of EVs, and with the added advantage of lower running costs and an added enjoyment factor.
As a footnote to this article... Jim Duncan spoke to the Glastonbury Town Council last month (November) and the Council has agreed to form a working party to look in more detail at how they might install one or two trial Elektrobay recharging posts at St Dunstan’s Car Park. If this is done then Glastonbury can link itself into a growing network of places where the new wave of electric cars and vans can travel through or operate from. The electric re-charging posts become “filling stations” between home or work, providing a quick partial “top-up” or maybe in some cases, with the new battery technology, virtually a full charge within the time allocated.
A gathering of EVs (all shapes and sizes!) is being planned for Glastonbury on Saturday 10th April 2010. Anyone who owns any type of EV is welcome to contact Jim Duncan and express their interest in being part of this and even a parade around the town.


Paul Lund

References used
www.theclimategroup.org
www.reactionelectric.co.uk Telephone 01823 279622
www.electricbikesales.co.uk