Includes bibliographical references.

Preface -- 1 Electric Bicycles - History, Characteristics, and Uses -- 1.1 Introduction -- 1.2 History of Bicycles -- 1.3 History of Electric Bicycles -- 1.4 Some Uses for the Electric-Powered Bicycle -- 1.5 Examples of Electric Bicycles -- 1.6 Future of Electric Bicycles -- 1.7 Laws and Regulations Governing Electric Bicycles -- 1.8 Conclusion -- 2 Fundamentals of Electric Propulsion -- 2.1 Introduction -- 2.2 Mathematical Model of Bicycle Performance: Power Required -- 2.3 Estimating Required Motor Power -- 2.4 Selecting a Battery for Minimum Life-Cycle Cost -- 2.5 Unique New Two-Wheeled Vehicles -- 3 Sources of Electric Power for Bicycles -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 Requirements of Batteries for Powering Electric Bicycles -- 3.3 Characteristics of batteries Suitable for Electric Bicycle Propulsion -- 3.4 Fuel Cells for Powering Electric Bicycles -- 3.5 Best New Electric Power Sources -- 3.6 Bicycle Propulsion Power Sources to Watch -- 4 Battery Charging -- 4.1 History of battery-Charging Technology -- 4.2 Basic Functions of battery Chargers -- 4.3 Battery Characteristics Pertinent in Charging -- 4.4 Lead-Acid Battery Charging -- 4.5 Charger Design for Long Battery Life -- 4.6 Smart Chargers for New Nickel-Cadmium and Nickel-Metal Hydride, and Lithium Batteries -- 4.7 Smart Batteries for Smart Chargers -- 4.8 Self-Discharge Rate of Nickel and Lithium Cells -- 4.9 Recoverable Energy -- 4.10 Solar Panel Battery Chargers -- 5 Motors and Motor Controllers -- 5.1 Fundamental Principles of Electric Motors -- 5.2 Motor Characteristics for Electric Bicycle Propulsion -- 5.3 Gear Ratio Determination -- 5.4 Motor Control -- 6 The System Design -- 6.1 Introduction -- 6.2 Setting up the Electric Bicycle Systems Design -- 6.3 Some Examples of Bicycle-System Trade -- 6.4 System Design Example -- 7 Measurement of Performance -- 7.1 Measuring Propulsion Power to determine Propulsion Efficiency -- 7.2 Measuring Motor Efficiency Includes Measurement of Motor Power -- 7.3 Measuring battery Characteristics.

8 Developments to Watch -- 8.1 Bicycle Systems -- 8.2 Energy Sources -- 8.3 Solar Charging Systems -- 8.4 High-Efficiency Motors -- 8.5 Controllers -- Appendix: Table of Conversion Factors for Units of Measure -- Index.

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Design or build a battery-powered electric bicycle For much of the world, bicycles are a transportation mainstay. Electric bicycles--powered by a rechargeable battery pack--are proven to deliver the highest possible energy efficiency, even compared to pedal bikes. A transportation alternative to fossil fuels, electric bicycles are fast catching on, in part because they don't require factory assembly. End-users can easily construct them with available components.The text reveals important techniques, data, and examples that allow readers to judge various propulsion setups--used in both home- and factory-made bikes--and estimate speed and travel distance for each. Numerous charts clearly present the costs, benefits, and trade-offs between both commercial and user-converted models.Key features include:. Estimating motor-performance for wind, hill, and cruising power requirements. Estimating battery capacity and a thorough description of battery charging. Motor and motor-control options. Evaluating motor-to-wheel coupling options. Placement of propulsion components. Configurations and performance. How systems-engineering techniques can produce electric-bicycle designs that have long travel range and low life-cycle cost. Testing. Developments to watchA comprehensive resource for harnessing innovation, Electric Bicycles is the definitive practical guide to taking full advantage of this exciting alternative energy technology.

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