Product type
The general type of vehicle determines the overall arrangement as well as some application specifics.
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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.
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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.
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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.Range
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.
Max speed
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.
Wheel size
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.
Power
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.
Power
The motor power of a vehicle, in kilowatts. In addition to them, horsepower is also used (for more details, see above).
Let us clarify that in this case, we are talking about
maximum power; the actual power can be adjusted while driving with the help of the accelerator. And in some models, it may even be possible to set a limit on the maximum power.
A more powerful motor allows you to carry more weight, reach higher speeds and/or have more torque. However, the energy consumption from the battery will also be high, and the battery life, with the same battery capacity, will be correspondingly less than when using a less powerful motor. Also note that in many countries, motor power is a criterion for classifying an electric vehicle as one or another variety. For example, according to this criterion, motorcycles and scooters can be formally separated, requiring different driving licences.
Battery type
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Lead-acid. The most popular type today. Their design is based on a combination of electrodes made of lead compounds and an electrolyte, the role of which is played by sulfuric acid diluted with water. It is the classic type of batteries that use a conventional liquid electrolyte. Their widespread use is due to their simple design and low cost, combined with good capacity and starting currents characteristic of all lead-acid batteries, as well as resistance to low temperatures (compared to other types of batteries).
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Lithium-ion (Li-Ion). Lithium-ion technology was originally used in batteries for portable gadgets such as mobile phones, but such batteries are being used more and more recently in vehicles. Among the advantages of such batteries, one can note smaller dimensions and weight, the ability to deliver high starting currents and the ability to be charged with high currents (the latter significantly reduces the charging time), as well as numerous charge-discharge cycles. In addition, such batteries contain a minimum of harmful substances, do not use acids and heavy metals, and some models are even directly positioned as absolutely harmless to the environment. The main disadvantage of lithium-ion models is the high price.
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Gel. A type of lead-acid battery in which the electrolyte is not liquid, but condensed to a gel state. This design prov
...ides several advantages compared to the classic version (see above): more charge-discharge cycles (which means longer service life); minimum leakage of electrolyte and associated gases; no need for maintenance; resistance to deep discharges and temperature fluctuations, etc. On the other hand, such batteries cost significantly more.Battery capacity
The capacity of the battery installed in the vehicle, in ampere-hours.
Theoretically, the battery life of the vehicle directly depends on this parameter: a more capacious battery can supply the electric motor longer. However, the actual amount of stored energy depends not only on the capacity in amp-hours but also on the nominal voltage of the battery. A more correct unit in this sense is watt-hours, taking into account the difference in nominal voltages; see "Battery capacity" below for details on this designation. Additionally, the operating time on a charge will depend not only on the characteristics of the battery but also on the power consumption of the vehicle itself — and it is determined by the motor power and several other parameters.
Removable battery
The presence of
a removable battery allows you to replace it with a more capacious one. This option also allows you to change one for another on the road, thereby increasing the range.