The Emcycle: a 3-wheel, tilting, fully-enclosed 500 W pedelec weighing just 80 lb (36 kg)

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Despite a curb weight of just 36 kg (79 lb), the Emcycle will come with a level of instrumentation normally associated with a car

Two front wheels for grip and banking over during cornering will make the emcycle an urban rocketship

The emcycle won't offer the same level of protection as a car, but it will be much better than a naked bike or motorcycle

All that bodywork opens up advertising and creative possibilities

The emcycle enclosed pedelec

The dimensions of the emcycle are modest - it's smaller than a motorcycle

The emcycle envisaged using a bike park - speed limited, the 500 W version will meet proposed EU regs

More decoration ideas for the emcycle

A Police version with a 2 kW motor would offer very rapid, silent transit in pedestrian areas

The emcycle

The emcycle envisaged using bike lanes

The emcycle

The featherweight foam-reinforced Tegris composite monocoque gives the emcycle the kerb weight of a pedelec (36 kg) and the facilities of a car

The Aprilia Enjoy Electric assist

Power to weight ratios

Average critical power curves

Power weight plot

The Watt steam engine catalyzed the industrial revolution.

The Toyota Prius

The Toyota iQ

Honda's PCX 125 scooter

The Toyota iQ, Volkswagen up!, smart fortwo and Toyota Prius

The Volkswagen up!

Article Summary

The potential for electric-assisted, human-powered vehicles to play a substantial role in the transport systems of the future is immense, and there has never been a better example of this potential than the Emcycle concept. The Emcycle is a tilting, three-wheeled pedelec (electric pedal assist), with a foam-reinforced, Tegris composite monocoque body, full suspension and a kerb weight of just 36 kg (80 lb). The Emcycle is initially planned as a 500 W electric assist but could easily be built in 1000 W (1 kW) and greater versions. Importantly, the Emcycle offers many of the amenities of a car (instrumentation, wipers, entertainment etc), plus weather and crash protection, and a huge lockable carrying capacity. In terms of weight, the Emcycle can safely carry 320 pounds (144 kg), including the weight of the rider, making it ideal for the citybike rental and inner urban delivery markets. A target price of US$4000 to US$5000 is envisaged.

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