What if an e-bike didn’t want a battery? An progressive e-bike from France affords assisted pedaling — with out a energy supply.
As a substitute of a battery, the cutting-edge bicycle from Pi-Pop makes use of a supercapacitor, which shops vitality because the rider pedals. This new use of the expertise is the brainchild of French entrepreneur Adrien Lelièvre, who needed to create a substitute for standard e-bikes.
Whereas e-bikes provide motorized transportation with out consuming fossil fuels, their lithium batteries nonetheless require resource-intensive manufacturing. Extraction processes for lithium have giant environmental and human prices.
Pi-Pop claims a number of benefits for its supercapacitor, together with an extended battery life than lithium. It’s additionally produced from carbon, conducting polymer, aluminum foils, and pulp: all recyclable supplies. That’s why the Pi-Pop “actually is an emblem of sobriety,” Lelièvre instructed EuroNews.
“At all times wanting extra, that means eager to go sooner, including extra vitality … this can be a useless finish,” he stated.
Pi-Pop E-Bike: Particulars
Supercapacitors are usually not new expertise. They’re already frequent in photovoltaic techniques, digital cameras, and in some hybrid or electrical autos. Some observers imagine that supercapacitors will grow to be extra frequent in electrical autos, Automotive Journal reported.
Within the case of the Pi-Pop, the supercapacitor permits riders to get some great benefits of a motor with out worrying about recharging it. That doesn’t imply it has the ability of many lithium-powered e-bikes, nonetheless. The Pi-Pop web site stresses that its bike isn’t meant for mountainous areas. It shops a comparatively small quantity of vitality, with pedal help solely obtainable for about 1,500 ft of a ten% incline earlier than working out of juice.
With a prime pace of about 16 mph, it’s slower than many lithium-powered alternate options. Nevertheless, the supercapacitor will final for 10-15 years in comparison with the 5-6 years of lithium batteries, the corporate claimed.
This aluminum bike additionally isn’t gentle, weighing practically 48 kilos.
Specs:
- Weight: 21.7 kg (single body dimension)
- Shade: White
- Body: Aluminum, Customary metropolis, Males and Ladies, appropriate for individuals measuring 1.55m to 1.85m (height-adjustable stem and saddle)
- Dimensions: 200 x 120 x 70 cm (L x H x W with handlebars in use place)
- Help: 24/7 as much as 25 km/h
- Wheels: Mach1 rims, 28″ double wall, Velox mounting
- Pneumatic: Michelin World Tour VTC city 700×35 (37-622)
- Motor/Regenerator: Aikema Electrical Drive Methods AKM100SX
- Fork: ZOOM 141D telescopic fork
- Disc brakes: TEKTRO MD-M280 disc brake. Disc Ø180 mm
- Shifter: Shimano RevoShift 7-speed
- Cassette: 12-28 enamel, single chainring 42 enamel
- Saddle: SELLE ROYAL Ellipse Relaxed. 3D SkinGel padding
- Derailleur: Shimano Tourney RD-TY300D 7-speed
- Mudguard: Sure
Pi-Pop E-Bike: Pricing & Availability
The Pi-Pop e-bike, presently in its third era, is assembled in Orléans, France. This latest mannequin grew to become obtainable on Dec. 1 and prices 2,450 euros, or about $2,650.
Nevertheless, Pi-Pop solely produces 100 of the bikes every month, with plans to scale month-to-month manufacturing to 1,000 bikes by 2024. The corporate doesn’t make deliveries, so Individuals must wait and see if this progressive e-bike expertise will finally make its manner throughout the Atlantic.
Go to the firm web site to study extra.
