Toshiba Demonstrates Quick-Charging Electric Bike
This past week, Toshiba exhibited a snazzy power-assisted bicycle manufactured by Cannondale Sports Group that uses a quick-charging lithium ion battery. The SCiB battery uses lithium titanate for enhanced safety and is made up of ten battery cells connected in series.
According to Toshiba, the bike can go 20-30 miles before needing a new charge — perfect for short trips around town.
The bike will be launched in North American and Europe in early 2009. While details aren’t available yet, it is expected to be priced at a cool $3,000.
Interestingly, Cannondale and Toshiba can’t release the bike in Japan due to the current Japanese Road Traffic Law, which states that the assisting force from the motor must be within half of the rider’s pedaling force. The ratio of the force generated by the rider to the motor’s force in the Cannondale bike is 1:1.
Photo Credit: Tech-On!
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November 22nd, 2008 at 6:11 pm
1:1 is more than “at least half of the rider’s pedaling force”. What your trying to say is the output of the motor must be under 1:1.
November 22nd, 2008 at 6:16 pm
@Steve oops! thanks for pointing out the typo.
November 23rd, 2008 at 6:54 am
I love all the new battery powered transportation options, but the $3k price tag prevents this product from going mainstream.
November 23rd, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Isn’t “20 to 30″ miles enough for ALL trips trips around town? Not just the “short” ones?
Looks like a great machine.
November 25th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Worse fear for EV cars drivers is to need hours to charge them again… This technology will make thermic engines to dissapear in few years…
November 26th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
I wonder why company cannot think of developing a system to charge the battery with pedal power. In India, i saw a simple dynamo which rotates with the wheels and charges a bicycle’s head lamp.
November 27th, 2008 at 12:38 am
Hey sounds like a great idea because one of the draw backs to electric bikes is waiting for it to charge. Electric bicycles are super quiet as well. You may also want to consider a bicycle that gets 150 miles per gallon and and cost less than $600. They are street legal in most states and are addicting to ride.
Check them out at: http://www.savegasmoney17.com
November 27th, 2008 at 2:58 am
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December 7th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
great batteries. I wish they could be used for small hand held tractors for small farmers;
January 8th, 2009 at 7:20 am
$3,000 ? looks so expensive!
March 21st, 2009 at 3:17 pm
The laws here in San Diego allow for electric assist motors up to 1000 watts and top electric speeds of 20 mph. I wonder how that compares to the Japan law?
April 25th, 2009 at 8:02 am
Cannondale is a famous mountain bike manufacturer.
This bike’s shape is,…….., not nice. 3000$ for this? not nice.