Comparison electric Motorbikes & Vehicles

The general type of vehicle determines the overall arrangement as well as some application specifics.

— Electric scooterbike. Vehicles of this type are outwardly almost indistinguishable from classic motor scooters. In particular, they have a relatively small footwell and a rather large ledge above the rear wheel; on this ledge is the seat, and inside is the motor. The only difference from classic scooters is that an electric motor is used instead of an internal combustion engine.

— Minibike. Minibikes are rather peculiar electric vehicles that look like slightly improved and weighted kick scooters: two very wide wheels, a platform for feet, a small seat and a handlebar. In terms of technical parameters, such as maximum speed and range, minibikes are not inferior to electric scooterbikes. However, low ground clearance and modest depreciation make minibikes demanding on the road surface, and the absence of turn indicators in most models makes them unsuitable for highways. The perfect options for such transport are parks, pedestrian and bicycle zones, narrow streets of the historical centre and other similar locations.

— Electric motorcycle. Such vehicles differ from traditional motorcycles only in the use of electric motors instead of internal combustion engines. Like traditional motorcycles, they can be of different types and have differ...ent specializations — in particular, among electric motorcycles there are enduro and cross models.

— Electric car. Electric cars are similar in design to cars: they have 4 wheels, an enclosed interior, appropriate controls (steering wheel, pedals) and seats. The main difference from full-fledged cars (including electric ones) is their miniature size: units of this type are often designed for one or two passengers with a minimum of luggage (although there are also larger models). However, in many countries, according to the SDA, such vehicles fall under the category of cars. Electric cars are noticeably more expensive than other electric vehicles, but they also provide the appropriate comfort: you do not need to keep your balance, and the closed cabin protects the driver from bad weather.

— Electric tricycle. Quite a rare category of electric transport. Electric tricycles, by the name, have three wheels; but otherwise, they are usually similar to the minibikes described above — the design has a large platform and a relatively small seat. The three-wheel layout makes such units very stable, they do not require kickstands, and the design most often has a basket on the front. At the same time, for several reasons, electric tricycles are not very common.

The maximum additional weight that a vehicle is designed to carry is, in fact, the weight of the payload that it is allowed to carry.

The maximum load includes both the passenger himself and the things he carries. In this case, the value is usually indicated based on a flat road and a quiet ride. So, ideally, it is best to have a maximum weight margin of at least 10-15 kg — this will give an additional guarantee in case of emergencies, such as a wheel falling into a pothole.

The range of a vehicle is the distance it can travel on a single battery charge.

Note that the range usually indicates the value for perfect operating conditions: driving at optimal speed with a small load, flat road, no ups and downs, etc. The actual range may differ from the claimed one, sometimes quite noticeably. In addition, to improve range, manufacturers can deliberately use low-power motors that consume little energy.

The highest speed that a vehicle can reach.

When choosing according to this parameter, it is worth considering that in dense city traffic, it is rarely possible to accelerate faster than 40 km/h; so if the vehicle is bought mainly for a comfortable ride through traffic jams, then there is no need to look for a high-speed model. In addition, for the same motor power, low speed means more torque, which makes it easier to climb hills.

The number of wheels the vehicle is equipped with.

This parameter is directly related to the type (see the relevant paragraph): by definition, tricycles have three wheels, electric cars have four, and other varieties have two. It should be noted that two-wheeled transport is the most compact, manoeuvrable and convenient in traffic jams. On the other hand, you need to keep balance on two wheels, which requires a certain skill and creates additional risk when driving.

tThe diameter of the wheels used in the vehicle. For models with wheels of different sizes, the largest diameter is usually indicated, other data can be specified in the notes.

For electric scooterbikes, the traditional size is a modest 10"; larger sizes are also found — up to 16". Among minibikes, large 18" wheels are more common. Electric motorcycles have small wheels — an average of 12 – 14". Among electric tricycles, a combination of a large front wheel with small rear wheels is often found — for example, 16 "and 4" each, respectively.

The large diameter allows you to roll over the bumps on the road, overcome rather large obstacles and maintain speed longer when coasting; on the other hand, such wheels require more torque from the engine, they accelerate worse and reduce the maximum speed of the unit. Small wheels, on the contrary, accelerate well and also provide good manoeuvrability, but they are intended mainly for flat roads.

The maximum incline that the vehicle can overcome.

Most vehicles, even the most inexpensive ones, can cope with angles of 10 – 12 ° without problems. So you should pay special attention to this parameter only if you have to deal with very steep slopes.

It is also worth mentioning that on road signs the angle of elevation is usually indicated not in degrees, but as a percentage. This means that to evaluate the capabilities of a particular unit, it may be necessary to convert degrees to percentages or vice versa. For this, there are special tables and calculators.

Additional features provided in the design of the vehicle.

— Headlight and position lamps. Lighting devices are designed to ensure safety at night and in conditions of low visibility. Position lamps are used to highlight the vehicle on the road, the headlight can also perform this function, but its main task is to illuminate the road in front of the vehicle. In most countries, traffic rules prohibit driving on roads in the evening and at night without headlights and headlight and position lamps. Note that such lighting devices can be purchased and installed separately. However, it is easier to immediately purchase transport, where it was originally provided.

— Turn signals. Standard turn signals are yellow or orange and are installed on both sides of the unit. Recall that according to the rules, it is necessary to indicate turns and lane changes; without light indicators, such signals have to be given by hand, removing it from the handlebar — which is not very convenient, and sometimes unsafe. Turn signals also simplify the task — to turn on the signal, just press a button or slide a switch.

— Horn. Special sound signal. The sound signal is intended primarily to warn other road users and prevent accidents.

— Anti-theft system. Security system to prevent vehicle theft. Note that the specific way the anti-theft system works in...different models may be different, it should be specified separately. In some cases, it is limited to notifications sent to the key fob or mobile phone that the thief is trying to move the vehicle. In other devices, the protection system can physically prevent theft — for example, by locking the steering or brakes.

— Carrier. Only containers installed in the rear of the vehicle are referred to as the carrier — a basket on the handlebar can be used in the front (see the relevant paragraph).

— Handlebar basket. A small basket is located on the handlebar of a vehicle. It is similar to the carrier (see the relevant paragraph) and is intended for the transport of various items. However, note that it is impossible to carry a lot of weight on the handlebar, this worsens stability and manoeuvrability. However, baskets usually have a small volume anyway.

— Kickstand. It is a small stand in the lower part of the body, which is laid out during parking and allows the unit to stand stably in an upright position. This function is relevant only for two-wheeled vehicles.

— Pedals. In this case, we are talking about pedals like bicycle pedals, which are placed under the driver's feet. This feature can be extremely useful in emergencies — for example, if the battery was forgotten to be charged or it discharged in the middle of the trip, if there was a malfunction in the electronics, or if it is far from charging and the battery needs to be saved. Another way to use the pedals is to assist the motor in difficult conditions, such as when driving through mud or on a steep slope.
Note that pedals are not used in minibikes — not because of difficulties of installation, but as unnecessary: in extreme cases, you can ride on such transport like on a kick scooter, pushing off the ground with your foot.

The motor power of a vehicle, in horsepower.

In general, the power of electric motors is indicated in watts. However, in electric transport, this designation is also often indicated. This is done for the convenience of comparison with internal combustion engines: for internal combustion engines, especially in vehicles, horsepower is traditionally used, and it is more convenient for some users to evaluate the power of motors by this designation. At the same time, if the need arises, some units are easily converted to others: 1 hp. ≈ 735 W.

For the power value in general, see the relevant paragraph below.