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Ministry of Transportation March 23, 2003. Hybrid Bike Presentation. Introductions. Ron Covello : MOT- Vehicle Standards George Hathaway: Specialist in physics related to advanced energy production and propulsion Linda Jefferson : MOT- Safety, Policy, and Education
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Ministry of Transportation March 23, 2003 Hybrid Bike Presentation
Introductions • Ron Covello: MOT- Vehicle Standards • George Hathaway: Specialist in physics related to advanced energy production and propulsion • Linda Jefferson: MOT-Safety, Policy, and Education • Paul Klein: Social marketing/social communications expert • Dr. Wai Tung Ng: Associate Professor, Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, UofT • Olivier Trescases: Expert in the area of smart power integrated circuits and power electronics • Dhora Lee: Expert in software development for embedded systems
Agenda • Introduction and Project Objectives • Situational Context • Overview of the hybrid bike project • Review MOT objectives; Discuss potential obstacles and areas of opportunity/collaboration • Identify next steps
Introduction A growing awareness of the problems associated with urban transportation but very few solutions • Increasingly ineffective urban transportation (too many cars; too little funding for public transit and appropriate road infrastructure) • Increase in health issues related to decline in air quality • Increase (somewhat) in public awareness of transportation options and urban environmental issues • Need for more affordable and viable transportation options • Need for more awareness of related issues (safety, health,environment,etc.)
Project Objectives An innovative Canadian social invention designed to address a growing problem in Ontario (and be a model for other jurisdictions) • Develop and deploy the world's most sophisticated electric hybrid bike • Use the electric hybrid bike as the basis for complementary socialprograms and communications to encourage greater use of bicycles and otherforms of non fossil fuel transportation • Develop public and private partnerships as needed to most effectivelydevelop the product and promote the program
E-Bike Marketplace • Competitors:E-Bike; ZAP Bikes; Panasonic; Mikado – Volta; Honda; Currie • Primary Market:Aging boomers • Cost: Currently e-bikes retail for $1,000 - $1,500 (considered mid-range) • Weight: Available models are seen as too heavy • Road infrastructure/Safety: Concern over safety (applies to use of all bikes) • Public Attitude: Limited (but growing) acceptance of bicycling as a preferred transportation option • Legislation and Licensing: A grey area in the minds of retailers and consumers
Designs on the Market Wide range of E-Bike designs are currently on the market High-TechLow-Tech
E-Bikes Are For Everyone E-Bike makers are targeting a wide range of consumers Practical Fun
E-Bikes in Asia • Most E-Bike development has been in Asia, where cycling is already popular • North American retailers rely more on the “toy” aspect of E-Bikes Employee Parking in ChinaAmerican Retail Outlet
Regulatory Environment As we understand it: • Currently considered to be a moped requiring a motorcycle licence • Max speed of 50k • Less than fifty-five kilograms • No hand or foot operated clutch or gearbox driven by the motor and transferring power to the driven wheel • Does not have sufficient power to attain a speed greater than 50 K/hour on level ground within a distance of 2 K from a standing start • Not for persons under the age of sixteen • Must have appropriate lighting and horn/bell • Must have two braking systems each with a separate means of application for front an rear wheels
Where We Are Today • Working Design Concept • Currently in prototype phase Before After Electric Motor Battery
Technical Development Our “hy-bike” is the only e-bike which allows fully hybrid operations including battery power regeneration similar to modern hybrid automobiles making it the most energy efficient transportation option available • Invented the first e-bike drive circuit to incorporate an electronic clutch control system • Invented new clutch mechanism • Developed sophisticated power electronics and control systems with rider safety foremost • Design reflects the Canadian urban transportation situation but will also compete in the world market
Target Bicycle Urban Bicycles: strong, lightweight, fast and cheap Road Mountain + Hybrid Urban
The E-Bike Brain • The sophisticated digital controller is the key to achieving numerous performance and safety features • Design is very flexible, most parameters are software controllable E-Bike Brain 16-Bit Digital Microcontroller Core Computer Interface
E-Bike vs Moped : smarter and safer The digital controller distinguishes the E-Bike from it’s low-tech brother: the Moped vs 1970’s 2000’s Features: • Low-efficiency, noisy two-stroke ICM • Nostalgia Features: • High efficiency, zero-emission motor • Numerous safety sensors: speed, temperature, acceleration, torque, battery charge etc. • Auto shut-off during unsafe situations
Automated Testing We are developing an automated test system to evaluate performance and safety features 1970’s
Feedback and Discussion • The Ministry's Perspective • Opportunities • Obstacles • Next Steps