This is an estimation that works better for steady-paced solar assisted rides than it does, for example, for HIIT. This is because the efficiency of our bodies changes slightly with power output and effort level.
- Burn more calories: Cycling is a faster and more efficient way to burn calories, lose weight and build muscle compared to walking. Cycling burns at least two times more calories per hour.
- Faster than regular bicycles: In the solar assisted pedalling mode – SAP ⅖, it is easy to maintain a speed of 21 kms/hour with the same effort as would be necessary to maintain a speed of 12 kms/hour in the case of a regular bicycle.
- Brings body closer to nature: Allows one to adjust as per the environmental needs and to be part of nature.
- Hot Sunny days – Choose throttle mode
- Rainy days – Choose Pedal Assist ⅖
- Winter days – Choose Pedal Assist ⅕
Calories Saved by Replacing a Car by a Solar Assisted Bicycle
Let us consider an ICE car that runs on gasoline 7520 kcal/litre (31.48 MJ/litre) or diesel 8700 kcal/litre (36.42 MJ/litre). If the car gives a mileage of 20 km/litre, then the calories burned by it is 376 kcal/km (437.21 Wh/km, 1.829 MJ/km) for petrol and 435 kcal/km (505.81 Wh/km, 2.116 MJ/km) for diesel. For every kilometre substituted by a solar assisted bicycle, the entire calories burned (indicated above) gets saved, since the bicycle is fed with solar energy (a renewable resource).
Let us now consider an EV (Electric vehicle/ car). If the EV gives a mileage of 9.9 km/kWh it represents a consumption of 86.86 kcal/km (101 Wh/km, 363.46 kJ/km). A small EV that gives mileage of 13 km/kWh would be consuming 66.15 kcal/km (76.92 Wh/km, 276.79 kJ/km). A solar bicycle ride instead of the small EV means a direct saving of 66.15 kcal/km.
Solar Assisted Bicycle – A Breed Apart
Arresting the Trend to make E-bicycles more powerful
There is another dimension to the ‘Indian dream’ that we have discussed earlier where the car has become a symbol of a killer sport with size, power, speed, wealth, status. The market share for 2 wheelers such as motor-cycles and scooters in India is 75%. And most of them are aspiring to be car owners in the future.
From Table 3, it can be seen that the energy consumption of electric 2 wheelers is about ⅓ of an E-car. Considering that the number of 2 wheelers to be more than three times that of 4 wheelers, the contribution of 2 wheelers towards GHG emissions equals that of 4 wheelers.
From Table 3, it is also clear that the total energy consumption, as a combination of metabolic and solar energies, of a solar assisted bicycle is just 3 Wh/km. A solar bicycle can be therefore categorised as a true net-zero vehicle. Due to various size and weight constraints, we do not expect a solar assisted bicycle to change significantly from a regular bicycle. This is important if solar bicycles are to be permitted or to be considered eligible for rides in the bicycle lanes.
Unfortunately, there is an ongoing trend to make electric bicycles more powerful and heavier. So much so that it is sometimes difficult to differentiate between an electric bicycle and other heavy E-bikes (electric two wheelers). The BLDC motor capacities of e-bicycles have gone up from 250W to 750W and higher. Battery capacities have gone up from 180 Wh to 500Wh and higher. Maximum speeds have gone up from 25 km/hour to 40 km/hour and higher.
Bicycle Lanes
We believe that in the future, there will be only two kinds of roadways. One with mixed traffic particularly to cater to medium and heavy vehicles for long distance travels. The other would be bicycle lanes that cater exclusively to bicycles and tricycles that comply with the power and speed restrictions, < 300 W and < 25 km/hour, respectively. Bicycle lanes would be the safest route with the least amount of accidents that result in serious injuries/ fatalities.
As long as the regulatory bodies such as the road traffic authorities are vigilant and ensure that no vehicle having power more than 250W or speeds more than 25 km/hour are allowed to enter the bicycle lanes, we expect the scope of the more powerful electric bicycles would be limited.
Due to increased speeds on the roads with mixed traffic, in the future, we believe that it will be extremely dangerous for the two wheelers to ply on the same road at four wheelers. Soon a time may come when the number of two wheelers would dwindle significantly. The commuters would prefer to use public transport such as trams, metros, and trains; and bicycles for last mile connectivity.
On the other hand, every country would be investing heavily in building more and more bicycle lanes. The ratio of length of bicycle lanes to regular roads would indicate the degree of sustainability of that country.
Advantage of Pedals
Bicycles have pedals. In an eventuality when the battery gets fully drained – pedals can be used to return back home safely. Particularly helpful for the safety of girls. Pedals can be used to burn calories; it can help the rider to keep himself fit and healthy. Pedals offer a unique pedelec or pedal assist or solar assist mode that can be adjusted to control the rate at which the rider burns calories.
Advantages of Solar Charging in Solar Assist Bicycles
- Small battery: In comparison to other e-bicycles, solar assist bicycles are equipped with a smaller size of battery since there is less dependency over battery – as we are carrying a (solar) generator source.
- Longer battery life: In comparison to other e-bicycles, we observe a longer battery life since there are less frequent deep discharges. Due to readily available sunshine during the day, the battery remains topped up.
- Free from charging worries: With solar charging, you get freed from the worry of recharging the battery after travelling a certain distance.
- No time wasted: The rider can simply ride or park the solar bicycle under the sun for the battery to charge. Since the battery is topped up most of the time, without deep discharge issues, there is no need to waste time for wait for the battery to charge unlike other e-vehicles
- Charging infrastructure: There is no need to search for the availability of charging infrastructure or AC plug points nearby – a common issue with all other e-vehicle users.
- Safety: There is noo need to worry about safety while battery is charging. Solar charging is slow and gentle and hence safer than fast charging infrastructures.
- No distance limit: On Pedal Assist Level ⅖, with good sunshine, the battery charging rate matches the discharge rate. This means that the battery does not get discharged and hence travel distance is not limited by battery capacity.
- Net zero: A truly green, clean, net-zero vehicle that is environmentally friendly and helps mitigate GreenHouse Gases and climate change.
How to Increase the Share of Cycling?
- Policy measures to create and provide large-scale cycling infrastructure
- Implement Regulations on the use of private motorised vehicles
- Subsidies / tax remittances and microfinancing options for low-income households.
- Economic appraisal and quantification of the various benefits of cycling can motivate the above interventions.
Concluded
Vithal Kamat has a Doctorate in Artificial Intelligence from the University of New Brunswick, Canada as a Commonwealth Scholar in 1996. He completed Masters in Control and Instrumentation from IIT Bombay. He is associated with the Centre for Apparent Energy Research, Anand, Gujarat.
