Eco-mover - A project from students from the Technical University of Delft

Here is another initiative that may pave the way for more electric scooters on the streets. Arjanna van der Plas sent me a link of a project she is doing together with others students from the Technical University of Delft in Holland. She explains:

A team of six TU Delft students including me is currently developing an electric moped for Eco-movement. We do because we strongly believe that we need to get people out of their cars into a sustainable, noiseless, traffic jam, less way of transportation. The electric scooters that are currently on the market lack quality: they break down often and their batteries fail, making them unreliable. They basically look like conventional scooters, but their performance is way worse. That is why we develop a new high quality, high performance electric vehicle, that does look like a conventional scooter that much, but rather is a new archetype to set a new standard for electric transportation. Furthermore, we are developing a vehicle that is cradle to cradle, which means we pay attention to its sustainability during the whole lifecycle, from supply and production to after use. We do not want to just make it sustainable, but rather make it eco-effective: make it add something to nature. For example, the tires could clean up the streets or the vehicles could be used to gain scientific data while they are driving around. On our website, that I will update very soon, is more information.

Their project website has a growing amount of information about their ideas an is defenetely worth taking a close look at.

Lego technic, an inspiration of modularity for an opensource electric moped

I just finished building my first lego technic project, a motocross of course =) I have to say while building it, I got super excited with the “Lego philosophy” and it’s simplicity. The reason I am posting this here, is sparkle a modular way of thinking on the contributors of this project and all of the people trying to implement the opensource mindset on a hardware product. I have been reading that the reason that open source software works, is that a piece of code, acts like modules that can be easily refined and combined to achieve different tasks. Look at the opensource content management system wordpress and it’s plugin architecture, any one can work on a  piece of code and write a plugin that realises a special task, that way, anyone can contribute in that problem they want to work the most. After a number of contributions the project tends to grow exponentially, thanks to that is why the Letsevo website exists.

So can we think of developing modules for this electric moped? modules that can be configured in many ways to attend the most various needs…Do you know examples of hardware products already using this principle? It would be great to discuss this idea here with you.

Until then, enjoy my Lego Motocross step by step!

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Elmoto - A concept electric motorcycle from Germany

Flicker user Triplebull posted his test drive on this new electric bike during this year’s Eurobike. The Elmoto is suppoused to reach 45 km/h and to have an autonomy of 70 km.

Elmoto’s website

Via: Extraenergy.org (by the way, great ressource! - addded to link section)

“The future of the electric car”

Why aren’t we seeing more electric cars out there? despite the many answers for this question, the problem relies mainly on 2 facts: The low range of batteries compared to gas and the lack of a network of charging stations to backup a revolution in the transportation means of our planet. One company is set to change the game and provide a system that can make electric cars (and mopeds =)) as popular as mobile phones. This is what last month’s Wired Magazine and the story written by Daniel Roth tells us.

The Story is about the plans of Shai Agassi, former Head of Product at SAP, now founder of Better Place, and his plans to set up network of charging stations to power the future of human transportation.

Better Place’s strategy is a “mashup of the automotive and mobile phone industries”. Their plan is to provide the batteries to all electric cars, along with a network of smart charge posts. Drivers would be able to plugin anywhere, anytime, and to subscribe to different plans: unlimited miles, a specific maximum of miles each month or “pay on the go”. Just like the phone industry, costumers would be able to by the car from the operator and maybe even get the car for free, “the profit would be made by selling electricity-The minutes.”

Shai Agassi an his team have come up with an operating system, that recognizes the user as he comes to a charging station, buys electricity from the local electricity grid and that when the user has no time charge up his battery, he can swap for a new battery, without extra cost-The operator would own the battery.

Now, let’s hope that Agassi’s plan come to really as it moves forward. He has already got Israel and Denmark to test his vision on the near future.

We wish all the success to Better Place and hope to be part of this revolution. Our e.mopeds are not ready but are most definetly looking forward for this.

His challenge is now,

List of components to be resolved

Common problem solving theory tell us to brake down the main problem into smaller tasks. The e.Moped project is no easy problem. There are many parts that need to function together in order for us to rip the streets looking good on this machine. Last Saturday I made the quick drawing above in order to represent the different components (systems) that we need to resolve together. they are until now:

• Suspension
• Battery
• Controller
• Motor
• Interface (hardware and software)
  
• Wheels
• Charger
• Brakes
• Lights
• Frame

Am I missing something here?

Breaking down the project into different systems, we can organize our thoughts, and focus on the areas which need more work than the others. In my opinion,  the systems which will be the core of our development will be the FRAME and THE INTERFACE, all other systems can be found in the market place some way or another, with little or no modification.

Want to help out Letsevo?

Do you have any experience in any one of these systems? don’t hesitate to stand up and shout out loud! I am sure there loads of good minds out there. Leave a comment, send an email, the work is just beginning.

Zero Electric Motorcycle

Featuring an end speed of almost 100 km/h, the Zero electric motorcycle looks like a fun machine for the mountains. Weighting 63 Kg and with 23 hourse power, the Zero hast enought torque to go up steep hills and hit some jumps on the MX track. Price tag: 7,450 USD

At the companie’s website you can check some nice videos of it in action.

Wired News

Best electric motor for a “city scooter like” mobility device?

During some researches on the internet, I found a lot of information on the Mars PMAC Brushless Motor.

Does any one have experience with this motor? Would be useful to hear from you!

Here is a technical drawing of the motor

Mars PMAC Brushless Motor Specs:
Input voltage: 24-48V DC
Speed: 72rpm/V DC (about 3500rpm at 48V)
Continuous current: 100 Amps
Max Current: 300 Amps (up to 30 sec)
Output: 15hp Max, 6hp continuous
Efficiency: 90%
Output Torque Constant: 1.20 in-lb per Amp
Weight: 22 lbs
Diameter: 8″
This Brushless motor requires a 3 Phase 8 Pole PMAC controller

7 Best Electric Scooters according to Threehugger

Hey People, some nice information from our mates at threehugger: Check it out

Do you know some more?

Nice resource website about Electric Motors

Starting the research about electric motors to use in future prototypes, I came across Electric Motor Reference Center. “Most Def” a good addition to e.Moped Link section. AC or DC? read on….

E-Solex from France

E-solex is a french electric bike I came across the internet, all tough I am not a fan of its design aesthetic, I do think it has some clever solutions like the removable battery and its cover…The concept of taking the battery with you to charge it at home or at the office is in my opinion a MUST HAVE.What do you think?

There is a great story about e-solex at Autoblog Green

Link to video 01

Link to a nice video of it in DailyMotion

Link to Esolex website

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