2009 ebike study by Asian Development Bank

[Lock]

From the WSJ:
"The e-bike phenomenon is so big the Asian Development Bank prepared a study looking at their impact on China’s environment and transportation. Released last year, the study found that electric bikes are energy efficient and perform much better environmentally when it comes to some forms of pollution, like the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, compared to alternatives like buses or motorcycles.

“This analysis shows that e-bike emissions, including material production and vehicle use phases, perform comparably to buses and significantly better than motorcycles and cars on most environmental metrics,” the report said."

Full pdf report here:
http://www.adb.org/Documents/Books/Electric-Bikes/Electric-Bikes.pdf

tks
l0C

[paultrafalgar]

On page 68 of that report they have the following table:

Table 4.9: Performance Characteristics of Various Cathode Materials for Li-ion Batteries

Cathode Material LiCoO2 Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2 LiFePO4
Energy density (Wh/kg) 180 170 130
Cycle life (cycles) 400 400 1000
Price ($/kg) 30 22 12
kg = kilogram, LiCoO2 = lithium colbatate, LiFePO4 = lithium iron phosphate. Wh = watt-hour,
$ = US dollar.
Source: Authors.

As I read it, this means that a 1.3KWattHour battery of LiFePO4 would cost $120!
Correct me if I am wrong, but in that case why are we not getting some of that; everybody on the Sphere would buy at that price!

[Lock]

As I read it, this means that a 1.3KWattHour battery of LiFePO4 would cost $120!
Correct me if I am wrong, but in that case why are we not getting some of that; everybody on the Sphere would buy at that price!

Maybe `cause most on ES aren't living in mainland China? Hopefully as NA production ramps up...

I loved this part in the conclusions:
"As cities expand, the propensity to use e-bikes instead of bicycles will grow. However, high quality public transport systems provide high levels of range and mobility that can be complemented by bicycle and e-bike travel. E-bikes can provide very environmentally efficient transport for short distances to access transit stations. Depending on load factors, they can be much more environmentally friendly and cost-effective than feeder bus service and provide better service. To facilitate this positive relationship, dedicated e-bike infrastructure, such as low-speed and low-conflict rights-of-way and secure parking, should be developed to feed high-capacity public transport systems. This could expand the reach and efficiency of public transport in cities. Local policy makers, planners, and engineers have a strong role in encouraging synergistic relationships between personal two-wheelers and public transport modes."

This is exactly the plans for my scooter...

lL0K

[paultrafalgar]

In contrast to that we have on page 40:

Force 2: Bans on Electric Bikes
Several cities throughout the PRC have banned
or restricted E2Ws in recent years, in addition to
banning motorcycles. Some officially cited reasons
for the bans include improving traffic flow, poor
safety records, and reducing environmental
pollution from worn-out batteries (Center for
Inspection 2006). As automobile ownership
grows, it is reasonable to assume that pressure
to improve traffic flow and allow automobiles
to move faster by removing two-wheelers from
roads will also grow. Two-wheelers (electric or
gasoline powered) create several disadvantages
to automobiles because of their slower speeds
and erratic driving behavior, which disrupt traffic
flow and pose safety risks. They also occupy more
road space (compared with buses) and dilute the
market for public transport.
Pressure for E2W bans may also increase because
of the abundance of low-quality and unsafe
products on the market, which can be traced
back to loose enforcement of standards. Many
users complain that e-bike brakes are insufficient
for the weight and speed of the vehicle. Low-
quality VRLA batteries have a short life and
thus lead to greater lead waste.
-----------------------------------
Contrast with the Danes attitude to bikes versus cars!!!

[Lock]

Contrast with the Danes attitude to bikes versus cars!!!

Absolutely. For diff. historical and geographic reasons I think both stand a good chance of leaping past the 20th-century car culture... India and other places too. Officially China may be ramping up car production but the Gov actually backed off recently when they tried to enforce their ebike restrictions and the hoi polloi revolted... a refreshing change from their usual bullet-in-the-brain solution to things...

... improving traffic flow...

This is a euphemism for speeding up traffic. Usually at the expense of safety and much higher energy costs per km. Shortening commute etc distances by urban design is the smarter approach.

...poor safety records...

Millions of ebiker noobs within a few short years? This shouldn't be a surprise w/so many on the early part of the learning curve and on poorly designed and cheaply built vehicles. If all these noob drivers had been learning how to drive cars, how would the safety record have looked then?

...environmental pollution from worn-out batteries...

And they point out elsewhere that other jurisdictions have already implemented schemes to rein in "battery abuse" with deposit plans etc...

...As automobile ownership grows...

I'm not convinced this is a valid starting point for an urban 21st-century. Ask any NA auto dealer how much their sales are growing?

...They also occupy more road space (compared with buses) and dilute the market for public transport.

But what if they ARE the public transport? Folks love having their own wheels! Buses cannot pick you up at your door on your own schedule... And if you could lease your 2 wheel vehicle from transit (or select from a range of vehicles) and they maintained the vehicles and looked after the battery packs?

...abundance of low-quality and unsafe products on the market...

Again, just a problem w/uneducated noobs... look at the scooter-style China-made "ebikes" that Canadians have been buying

I don't find any of these concerns legit! I know ebikes are not a panacea... The needs for folks in North Dakota aren't the same as for folks on Manhattan Island... Read a fun quote from Warren Buffett the other day. Something like "Wall Street is the only place where folks drive their Rolls Royces to get advice from folks that take the subway"

Lock