Even Tesla Saw the Future of An Ebike | KBO Bike

Electric bikes have been around since the early 2000s, but when were they invented?

Most people think of a scooter or an electric motorcycle when they hear the word "electric bicycle," but they are not the same thing. Consider a conventional bicycle, then add different electrical components such as a motor, a battery, and a controller that are seamlessly integrated into the design. These components are the cornerstone of the market's all-electric bicycles!

Since its resurgence roughly 20 years ago, electric bikes have risen. Many people are unaware that the electric bike has been around for 120 years.

In the last two decades, the electric bicycle (e-bike) has been the sole method of transportation to grab a significant amount of the bicycle market share. Its basic shape, resembling a conventional bike, compact and efficient electric motor, and easy control techniques have resulted in phenomenal sales growth since 1998. It is estimated that approximately 120 million electric bicycles are used in China alone today. Electric bicycle use increases in Europe and North America, with 1.5 million bikes sold each year.

One of the most appealing qualities of electric bicycles is that they produce no harmful emissions from their combustion engines and pose no threat to the environment. Even when the cost of regular battery replacements is included, an e-bike is significantly more environmentally friendly than any other public road transportation technology. Another benefit of electric bicycles is that they may be used in rehabilitation for recovering patients. Patients with cardiac issues, for example, may find that utilizing e-bike models that reduce muscle strain and heart stress significantly improves their mobility. In China, one of the downsides of the electric bicycle has been recognized. The speed of the e-bikes became troublesome when used on traditional routes designated for traditional bicycle riding.

There are numerous advantages of electric bikes over traditional bikes. To name a few:

• E-Bikes Allow You to Travel Longer Distances in Less Time.

Both electric bikes and normal bikes can transport you from point A to point B. You can ride your bike to work, the gym, a friend's house, or anywhere else you choose to go.

However, riding an e-bike rather than a traditional bike will get you from point A to point B much faster. Most electric bikes have a top speed of 15 to 20 miles per hour. That will bring you to your destination swiftly.

• They'll help you get into better shape.

Some individuals wrongly assume that electric bikes will not get you in shape as well as normal bikes. They believe that these bikes will perform all of the work for you, reducing the amount of exercise you obtain.

Nothing could be further from the truth. While e-bikes make it simpler to ride your bike on the road, you'll still have to peddle as much as you would on a traditional bike. You'll also be riding longer distances on your e-bike, which means you'll be pedaling more than usual.

• E-bikes make it easier to get to work.

The notion of riding your regular bike to work may sound appealing. However, after you've done it, you may discover that you don't appreciate it.

Regular bikes will not get you to work swiftly. They'll also make you work up a sweat before you arrive at work, which is definitely not what you want.

• They'll Help You To Cutting Costs.

Are you weary of paying hundreds of dollars each month on gas and vehicle maintenance?

When you buy an electric bike, you will save a lot of money on your monthly commuting expenditures. Even if you merely ride your bike to work every couple of days or to the store instead of driving, you'll reduce the amount of money you have to spend to use your vehicle.

You'll also be helping the environment by riding an e-bike instead of driving your automobile. You won't have to worry about your e-bike emitting toxic emissions into the environment like a car.

Tesla and Ebikes

Nobody can dispute that Tesla has transformed the electric car business, whether you like them. However, even though more people are moving to electric bikes, we have yet to see the electric car behemoth enter the eBike industry until now.

An electric bicycle is a motorized bicycle with an integrated electric motor for propulsion. There are several varieties of e-bikes available worldwide. Still, they generally fall into two categories: those that assist the rider's pedal power and those with throttle and moped-style characteristics.

Both are not electric motorcycles because the rider must still pedal. E-bikes feature rechargeable batteries and can go at speeds of up to 32 kilometers per hour (16 to 20 mph). Speeds of more than 45 km/h are not uncommon for high-powered kinds (28 mph).

Many e-bikes are classified as bicycles rather than mopeds or motorcycles, depending on local regulations.

This exempts them from the tighter laws governing the certification and operation of more powerful two-wheelers known as electric motorcycles. E-bikes may be regarded as a distinct category with their regulations. E-bikes are battery-powered variations on motorized bicycles, available since the late 1800s.

E-motorbikes, on the other hand, are electric-powered variants of traditional motorcycles. This necessitates distinct regulation and legislation for them. E-bikes use rechargeable batteries in addition to electric motors and some form of control.

Sealed lead-acid (SLA), nickel-cadmium (NiCad), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), and lithium-ion polymer batteries are all in use (Li-ion). The voltage, total charge capacity (amp hours), weight, number of charging cycles before performance diminishes, and ability to endure over-voltage demanding circumstances all affect battery performance.

Elon Musk responded to concerns about his firm and his vision for America back in 2018. He changed the subject to scooters and bicycles, and an electric bike was just an idea at the time. Elon first stated that scooters were not on his radar, and then he indicated the potential of an electric bicycle. In December 2020, there was increased online enthusiasm as users uncovered a futuristic shape for a Tesla electric bike pilot prototype.

The internet was buzzing with speculations of a revolutionary Tesla e-bike design due to appear in late 2020, complete with a futuristic shape, electronic steering, autopilot technology, and an innovative suspension system. First and foremost, it is more like a moped rather than an e-bike (it has no pedals). 

The second reason is that it is not produced by Tesla. Kendall Toerner, the designer, is not associated with the company; he just used its name and logo to accompany the mock-ups. Nonetheless, it is worth debating.

The Model B sports a sleek frame design with proximity LiDAR sensors that scan the area and form a "protective bubble" around the rider, alerting them to any possible threats.

Furthermore, each wheel has its dedicated motor, resulting in the Model B's dual-drive system. The wheel spokes have been replaced with shock absorbers, ensuring a smooth ride.

The Model B's frame also has foldout footrests and handlebars that detect force rather than spin separately, allowing the rider to turn by simply applying more pressure to one side of the bike. At the same time, the front wheel travels independently based on applied force.

The bike also has its autopilot feature, which allows the built-in AI system to control and drive the bike safely using multiple sensors on its frame. A sleek integrated dashboard fits flush within the bike's frame. It shows route metrics and navigation maps for the rider to examine.

The Model B e-bike is presently a concept with no pricing or availability information. On the other hand, Elon Musk's supporters and proponents of clean micro-mobility are undoubtedly eager for its production.

Although e-bikes are zero-emission vehicles since they emit no combustion byproducts, the environmental consequences of energy generation and delivery and battery manufacturing and recycling must be addressed.

Despite these disadvantages, e-bikes have a lower environmental impact than automobiles. They are often seen as more environmentally benign in urban settings. According to a recent English study, e-bikes have the potential to "lower vehicle carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in England by up to 50% (approximately 30 million tonnes per year) if used to replace automobile travel."

So, Model B seems ideal, right?

Model B's Problems: Toerner's "Model B" is a fantastic work of industrial design that raises some intriguing concerns about dashboards and sensor technologies.

It is, however, physically impossible to carry out. When you press down on the handlebars, sensors detect the force and tell the fork (still coupled to an articulating column) to turn in the desired direction. 

As a result, riders would have to relearn how to steer. There's also a mention of autopilot, which seems counterintuitive considering how vital balance is when riding. If the rig rapidly changes course without warning, you will fall.

Robust security features are also expected for the Model B. Musk joked that "stolen Tesla cars drive themselves to the police station with the car thief." It should be no surprise that everyone expects electric bikes to be theft-resistant. When the bike is stolen, the GPS feature will track it down; it is also conceivable that a rider will be unable to start the bike unless he interacts with the interface in a certain way.

We'll have to settle for designs like the Tesla Model B until Tesla brings an e-bike to market. They do, however, indicate the route Tesla might go.

Surprisingly, this provides us with an idea of what is feasible and the technology that will arrive in electric bicycles in the next few years. While we're not convinced about shock absorbers instead of spokes or self-driving bikes, the addition of LiDAR to eBikes might significantly increase rider safety. We already have fantastic GPS devices with a bike recovery rate of 90%.

Even though the Tesla Model B hasn't been manufactured yet, you can find great ebikes on the KBO website.