The smart ebike is going into series production.
With this step smart as a pioneer of local
emission-free electric mobility is expanding its
e-product portfolio. A near-series version of
the smart ebike will be on display at the "Eurobike"
show in Friedrichshafen (31 August - 3 September
2011) and at the Frankfurt Motor Show (13 - 25
September 2011). The smart ebike is being
developed and built in cooperation with the
renowned e-bike manufacturer GRACE, based near
Berlin. The ebike will be launched in the first
half of 2012 and will initially be marketed by
dealers in Europe and North America.
Power-assisted mobility on two wheels is in.
According to the association of the two-wheeler
industry (ZIV) sales figures in Germany alone
rose from 70,000 in 2007 to 200,000 in 2010. In
2018 the ZIV predicts that e-bikes will make up
15 percent of all bicycle sales in Germany. And
in Europe as a whole sales are booming even
more. In 2007 approximately 200,000 people opted
for an electric bicycle and according to the ZIV
by 2009 this figure had already risen to
500,000. And in 2010 around 700,000 e-bikes were
sold throughout Europe - a plus of 40 percent
compared with the previous year.
With an unconventional design in line with the
style of the brand, functions appropriate for
city use and high technology standards that are
demonstrated by the extremely efficient and
high-performance drive package among other
features, the smart ebike has an exceptional
position.
Annette Winkler says "We at smart have been
gathering experience of electric drives and the
mobility needs of city dwellers around the world
for years. The smart ebike is the logical
product of this experience and complements the
smart fortwo extremely well. We listened to what
people wanted from a perfect city bike and then
came up with some clever solutions such as the
integrated USB port for smartphones or energy
recuperation during braking. The smart ebike is
a real high-tech product and its price of less
than €2,900 in Germany will make it a very
attractive option."
The smart ebike created by the smart designers
boasts a clear design idiom and an independent
appearance. It clearly breaks with conventional
bicycle design with attractive integration of
the components of the electric drive. The main
components such as the frame, battery housing,
handlebars, lights or mudguards have been
designed and developed specifically for smart.
The two-material and two-colour concept is also
typically smart. The plastic battery housing
forms a striking contrast to the aluminium frame
of the smart ebike and the dynamic look is
rounded off by 26 inch wheels. The headlamp and
rear light feature LED technology.
Efficient and powerful electric drive
smart's high technological standards are
manifested in the extremely efficient and
high-performance drive package. As a
pedelec(Pedal Electric Cycle) the smart ebike is
strictly speaking a hybrid vehicle: the electric
motor - a maintenance-free and brushless
rear-wheel hub motor from BionX - switches on as
soon as the rider starts pedalling as with a
normal bicycle.Muscle power is transmitted to
the rear wheel via a durable and quiet belt
drive. An integrated three-speed gear hub
provides for comfortable gear changing.
The strengths of the ebike include its agile
performance: the rider of the smart ebike
decides how much power he wants the 250 watt
electric motor to deliver to support his muscle
power by pressing a button on the handlebar.
There is a choice of four power levels with the
fourth and highest level providing maximum
pushing power. Depending on the power level
selected and the manner of cycling a battery
charge can last for more than 100 kilometres.
With more than 400 Wh the lithium-ion battery is
one of the most powerful batteries in the
competitive environment. It has been
attractively integrated on the smart ebike and
is housed on the lower bar in the frame triangle
under a plastic housing. The portable battery
can be charged either at a normal socket or
whilst riding with the latter offering
advantages in terms of cost and the environment.
The wheel hub motor becomes as a generator when
the rider brakes. The braking energy is
recuperated, i.e. it is converted into
electrical energy and stored in the smart
ebike's lithium-ion battery.
High-quality components guarantee dynamic, safe
and fun cycling. For example, MT4 disc brakes
from Magura are fitted at the front and rear.
The fully integrated brakes interrupt the power
supply to the motor during braking, stop its
propulsion power and reverse the polarity so
that it becomes a generator for recuperation of
braking energy.
The smart ebike also features state-of-the-art
infotainment: a USB interface is a standard
feature and enables various mobile end devices
to be connected with the help of a versatile
cradle. There are even plans to develop a
special app for the iPhone which would allow
smart ebike riders to use their iPhone as an
information centre, for example to call up
information on the charging status and range.
Simple operation and highly functional
Straightforward operation, a low weight,
excellent ergonomics and a practical stowage
space concept all contribute to making the smart
ebike fun to ride. As a pedelec the smart ebike
combines the comfort of a motorised two-wheeler
with the easy handling of a bicycle. In EU
countries neither a driving licence nor a
licence plate are required as the electric motor
of a pedelec only assists propulsion up to a
speed of 25 km/h. This is also a clear advantage
in terms of safety.
Charge management is just as simple: the battery
can either be charged right on the ebike or it
can be easily removed for charging at an indoor
socket and then reinserted.
