Transcript No Slide Title

Hybrid Bike Presentation
Ministry of Transportation
March 23, 2003
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 social
programs and communications to encourage greater use of bicycles and
other forms of non fossil fuel transportation
• Develop public and private partnerships as needed to most effectively
develop 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
E-Bike Marketplace
Worldwide Bike Ownership (Millions)
40
140
450
70
120
300
China
India
USA
Japan
Brazil
Europe
E-Bikes Sold in 2001 (x1,000)
65
35
200
1000
China
Japan
Europe
USA
Designs on the Market
Wide range of E-Bike designs are currently on the market
High-Tech
Low-Tech
E-Bikes Are For Everyone
E-Bike makers are targeting a wide range of consumers
Fun
Practical
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 China
American 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
Battery
Electric Motor
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:
Features:
• Low-efficiency, noisy two-stroke ICM
• High efficiency, zero-emission motor
• Nostalgia
• 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