The Electric Assist Bike (e-bike) : Technology, Operation and Ecological Impact

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In 2023, one out of every three new bicycles purchased in France (30%) was an electrically assisted bicycle, confirming its leading position in the personal transport market, according to Statista.

As a popular solution for more sustainable mobility, the e-bike combines the physical effort of the cyclist with the power of an electric motor. It is winning over more and more users, mainly because of its advantages in terms of comfort, performance and ecological impact. But how does it really work?

How an electrically assisted bicycle works ?

An e-bike has three main components: an engine, a battery and a set of sensors. The motor, powered by the battery, is triggered when you start riding, providing assistance that is proportional to your effort. According to the sensors installed, such as the pedalling sensor and the torque sensor, the assistance can be adjusted for a more natural feel.

This system helps you to climb hills more easily and maintain a comfortable speed without exhausting yourself. Once you reach 25 km/h, the assistance cuts out and you are once again entirely in charge of the propulsion, as on a conventional bike.

Electrically assisted bicycles’ motors can be installed in different places on the bike: the crankset, the front wheel or the rear wheel, all of which influence the bike’s handling, balance and dynamism.

Autonomy and performance of the electric-assist bicycle

The autonomy depends on several factors : battery capacity, riding style and road conditions. On average, an e-bike can travel up to 70 km before needing to be recharged. The battery, expressed in Wh (watt-hours), defines the amount of energy stored and therefore the range of the bike. The higher the battery capacity, the greater the distance you can cover.

Electric-assist bicycles are designed to be used in a variety of conditions, whether rainy, dry or even muddy. This versatility requires components that are well protected against the penetration of water and dust. Poor sealing can lead to electrical malfunctions, corrosion or early damage to parts. This is why Solyem has developed specific seals to protect sensitive components by providing high-quality sealing solutions for the bottom bracket motor and motor housing.

Features of these gaskets include

  • Optimised thickness (up to 3 mm): This thin thickness allows the gaskets to be perfectly integrated into the motors, without weighing down the entire mechanism, thus ensuring optimum efficiency.
  • Robotic handling : The gaskets are rigid enough to be handled by robots, making them easy to use in production and quick and precise to install.
  • Topographical beads : our gaskets allow you to adjust the distance between screws by modulating the height of the beads, offering a customised solution to meet the specific needs of each application.

Major players, leaders in the e-bike market, use our solutions to guarantee the reliability and longevity of their e-bike.hé du VAE, font appel à nos solutions pour garantir la fiabilité et la longévité des composants de leurs vélos électriques.

The Environmental Impact of Electric-assist Bikes

Before concluding, it is important to emphasise that the major advantage of e-bikes lies in their role as an ecological alternative to traditional motorised vehicles. From an environmental point of view, they are much cleaner than cars, whether electric or internal combustion. An electric bicycle emits an average of 13g of CO2e per kilometre, compared with 95g for a light electric car and up to 223g for a combustion engine car. It’s interesting to note that 80% of an EV’s emissions come from its manufacture

In addition to its ecological advantages there are other benefits: it reduces noise pollution, eases traffic congestion and encourages physical exercise, which is good for both body and mind.

Conclusion

The electric-assist bicycle is an effective solution to the need for sustainable mobility and energy efficiency. It has established itself as a viable alternative to motorised vehicles, helping to reduce CO2 emissions while offering optimum riding comfort. With leading companies continuing to innovate, the future of soft mobility looks brighter than ever. To support this development, Solyem provides premium sealing solutions that guarantee the performance and durability of your electric bikes. Contact us to find out more about our solutions today !