Solving the transportation congestion, pollution and cost problems with affordable e-Bikes

Introduction

We have several interrelated problems regarding transportation in the USA.
For the last 16 years, Laissez-faire innovation permeated the transportation industry
followed by up-and-down gas prices. This antiquated attitude is in dire need of recalibration.
In 1994 an emergence of electric bikes caught the eye of many consumers in the Californian market; however, as gas prices fell so too did demand.
Subsequently, Hydrogen vehicles found their way into the headlines in the early 2000s as gasoline prices began to rise uncontrollably again, but clearly the technical and economical obstacles have proven the concept undoable. As a result we’ve fleets of hydrogen vehicles, but no wide-scale infrastructure.

As we head into 2010 gas is on the rise again and we have even more pollution and traffic jams in our cities. As an example, the city of Miami Beach touts 88,000 residents within a 7.1 mile radius. That’s 12.4 thousand people for every square mile. This does not take into account the tourists who on any given week-end increase the local populace by a factor of .5 or more; nor does this take into account the winter snow-birds (part-time residents). This raises the number of people driving and biking within city limits to a staggering 3rd highest in the nation.

Problem Statement

Sufficed to say, Miami Beach does not suffer from a blanket of smog like Los Angeles as there are no mountains, but it does suffer from inordinate traffic and insupportable noise pollution. Additionally, parking is more costly than NYC; if you can find it. Taking into consideration the parking problem, the over-populated road-ways and add to that exhausting heat and humidity and you have angry, belligerent and frustrated drivers. Moreover, as gas reaches the $4 dollar mark (again), residents and tourists are city bound and often unable to drive to local stores.
In the past, the city had no choice but to close roadways and parking lots; turning tourists and residents away. This in turn caused an exorbitant amount of revenue loss. The residents and vendors have petitioned the city council to address this growing problem. A solution has been approved.
Solution
Simply put, the city of Miami Beach needs plug-in electric vehicles; specifically, e-bikes. To this end, the city has approved a massive project called the Atlantic Green Network. The project incorporates regular bikes and ‘way-stations’ linking north to south and east to west. Additionally, bides have been placed to sell electric bikes to the city.

As with any growing model, in order to accommodate the transportation plan, an infrastructure must be built. The Miami Beach Public Works is addressing this issue. In some of these stations, e-bikes will be offered. This will allow a traveler to rent a bike fully charged and deposit it in the station closest to the traveler’s destination then pick it up for the way back; again fully charged.

Here is where we must consider what types of electric bikes work best; best being the most economical, trouble-free, convenient, environmentally friendly and durable.
Types of e-Bikes
There are many e-bikes on the market, but for the purposes of this white paper I will focus on the popular bikes offered in the Miami area.

1) The Schwinn Tailwind
2) The A2B Ultra Motor
3) The Giant Twist Express
4) The Xellerion X-bike

Comparisons [click on the chart above]

1.Note that the Giant bike is paddle assist only; there is no throttle; instead there is a sensor linked to the peddle assembly. If you cannot peddle, you don’t go anywhere. It is touted as intuitive, but in reality it is symbiotic. Compared to the X-bike, the Giant is 3 times the cost with a lower cruising speed and a lower Ah battery pack (Ah=Distance).
2.The Schwinn Tailwind has many favorable qualities; it is, however, five times the cost of the X-Bike. Moreover, the Tailwind uses a 10 Ah battery with only half the amperage of the X-Bike (Ah = distance). The battery is exposed and easily stolen or compromised by rain or snow. The Tailwind is a niche market bike and arguably not suitable for fleet use.
3.The A2B Metro Bike is > 4 times the price of the X-Bike; again with a lower Ah battery pack. It is a sturdy design, however, the top of the line (Excel) is much more expensive and in most states becomes disqualified as a bike; the reason being it exceeds 28 mph. Most state laws require the bike not cruise faster than 25mph.

The determining factors outlining a proper choice regarding any given duty cycle are in pyramid order:
1.Cost/maintenance
2.Reliability
3.Charge time and ease of use

Looking at the top of the determining factor pyramid the Xellerion X-bike is a better choice for fleet, personal and station use. All of these bikes qualify in terms of reliability; however, in contrast if charge time is the dominant factor, the Tailwind would qualify as a better choice. The latter statement is only true if there is no swap-out battery pack. Typically, in fleet applications a secondary battery pack is always used. This renders charge-time moot.

Safety

Li-Ion batteries when overcharged can explode. In contrast Ni-Zn batteries cannot. Li-Ion batteries if compromised can leak hazardous waste, again Ni-Zn batteries cannot.

Summary

In conclusion, there are other facts to consider. Lithium Ion/Polymer batteries are not recyclable. In contrast, the Ni-Zn battery pack is nearly 100% recyclable. Additionally, next generations of the N-Zn battery are expected to be reduced in weight by a factor of 4 while increasing Ahs by the same factor.

Lithium is a very finite resource as well. While stores of lithium dwindle the cost of raw materials is expected to rise. In contrast, Zinc is extremely plentiful and the bulk of the stores are indigenous to the USA.

All factors when compared indicate the Xellerion X-bike as a logical and economical better choice.