An average electric bike costs around $2000 and is too expensive for the masses. However, a Swedish engineering firm named Semcon has come up with the design of a new $100 gadget that can upgrade your old bike into an electric bike.
The spokesman for the company, Per Nilsson, detailed how they identified their target market:
“There is, that we’re aware of, no low-cost alternative for turning your old bike electric. We saw an opportunity to develop a product that is inexpensive, low weight, easy to switch, and has enough power to support more bikers.”
Thus far, the other ideas proposed for turning your regular bike into an electric one give your bike a heavier look and, nonetheless, are relatively expensive. A survey revealed that most of the bike rides in the US are only ten minutes long.
The designers at Semcon hit upon the idea of a light-weight, detachable battery. Nilsson said that the riders would pedal off on their own when they start the ride:
“We optimised the motor to kick in when you need the support the most —between seven and 25 kilometres per hour. This made it possible to make the engine smaller.”
The add-on battery attached to a magnet can conveniently be removed and charged or even installed for use in another bike. The design employs an Arduino and can connect to Wi-Fi to provide access to the navigation apps, or the anti-theft tracking systems.
The prototype cost Euro 100, and the company hopes that this price would refuse further as they go into the active production phase.
Thus, soon you can lay your hands on an electric bike without parting with thousands of dollars. Learn more about the gadget in this video: